Written Answers Nos 188-214
188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to take action regarding the need for prompt approval of crucial funding a group (details supplied) to ensure that those living in urban and rural areas of counties Carlow and Kilkenny have equal access to important supports and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal or Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces are responsible for allocating money for suitable projects, based on locally identified needs and priorities. Applications for funding for organisations should be made directly to the appropriate Drug and Alcohol Task Force, which in this case is South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force.
Contact details for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces are available at http://health.gov.ie/healthy-ireland/drugs-policy/local-and-regional-drugs-task-forces/.
189. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the role his Department had in Ireland's bid for the European Medicines Agency and his engagements with other European leaders on Ireland's bid. [50203/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2016, the Government decided to promote Dublin as the new location for the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The Irish offer was developed by a cross-sectoral working group led by my Department, with colleagues from the Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as representatives from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), IDA Ireland and other Government departments and agencies. Our bid was officially submitted to the European Council and the European Commission on 31 July 2017.
Officials in my Department also worked closely with colleagues in the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the strategy and campaign to promote the bid and demonstrate why Dublin represented a suitable location for the EMA.
During the course of the campaign, government colleagues, Department officials, and I engaged with representatives from nearly all EU Member States. These engagements included bilaterals with health ministers across the Member States, discussions between officials at departmental level and briefings for various cross-sectoral stakeholders.
On 19 November 2017, Ireland's Permanent Representative to the European Union confirmed that Ireland was withdrawing its bid for the EMA in order to focus on the offer for the European Banking Authority, recognising the political challenge of pursuing two bids concurrently. The decision on the relocation of both agencies was taken by the General Affairs Council on 20 November, with Amsterdam being selected as the new home for the EMA.
190. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to include funding for meal bins for young suckler farmers in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued exceeding 11,660. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure under the TAMS II measure of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. Until such time as these approvals are acted upon or expire the budget for TAMS must include provision for the potential expenditure involved. There are no proposals at present to extend the Scheme to include meal bins for non dairy farmers.
Of the applications approved 2,900 payment claims have been received to date. Payment claims submitted continue to be paid on an on- going basis. All participants who have completed approved works are urged to submit their payment claims immediately to facilitate early payment.
191. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts made to date by his Department to reduce incidents of farm deaths and farm accidents; the supports available to those persons living with life-altering injuries as a result of an accident on the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm safety is a critical issue facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined.
While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation. Behavioural change is urgently required to minimise risk and prevent future accidents.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on Farms, while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is fully supportive of their work and assists in the promotion of safe farming practices.
DAFM, in conjunction with the HSA, is focused on changing farmer behaviour in relation to Health and Safety. Research (commissioned by the HSA) has shown that behavioural change is the key to reducing the level of accidents both fatal and non-fatal, on farms. The same research showed that farmers are generally aware of the risks, however, there were problems with farmers often not adhering to the safety guidance.
On-going Initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on farm safety include the following:
- A Farm Safety Scheme was opened as part of the TAMS II round of on-farm investment schemes under the 2014-2020 RDP.
- As part of all the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes it is mandatory to have completed a minimum of a ½ day farm safety course on completing the Code of Practice within the last five years.
- A mandatory Health and Safety element is included in all Knowledge Transfer Groups under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. These groups will directly engage in the region of 20,000 farmers with farm safety.
- ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines are included in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by the Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. The guidelines give advice on best practice and legislation.
- A Farm Safety leaflet is included with the Single / Basic Payment application packs, distributed annually to over 130,000 farmers.
- In terms of assistance to farm families who have either suffered a loss or severe injury as a result of a farm accident, and who may not have experience in dealing with the type of day to day issues that might bring them in contact with the Department in relation to schemes and services, a single point of contact has been established in my Department’s Quality Customer Service Unit. Every assistance and guidance possible is provided to make contact/dealings with the Department as easy and as straightforward as possible.
Contact details for the Service are as follows:
Phone: 057 8694464
E-mail: qualityserviceunit@agriculture.gov.ie
- The Department is an active member of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and is in regular contact with the Health and Safety Authority. This committee includes of members from a wide range of bodies within agriculture and looks at how to promote and develop farm safety.
- A North South Farm Safety Group was formed in 2015, the purpose of the group is to seek ways in which the respective authorities can work together to enhance the work currently undertaken in each jurisdiction on Farm Safety. The group is supporting the sharing of information on farm safety between both jurisdictions and looking at the development of joint farm safety initiatives.
Teagasc have a Tragic Event Service for Family Farms (TESFF) to offer support to farm families. In the aftermath of tragic events on farms leading to death or serious injury, advisors will offer their support without additional cost to affected families. The key areas of support are as follows.
- Technical support to ensure that the family can make the critical management decisions in time and ensure that the farm can continue to operate at a reasonable level of performance.
- Farm Financial Business support in dealing with bankers, accountants and Revenue.
- Support in working with my Department in relation to the various Schemes and Services available to ensure that the farm continues to participate in and receive its entitlements under various schemes.
- Structural Changes to assist the farm family stabilise the farm so that it can function effectively, this may mean changing the system of farming, scaling down or employing additional hired labour.
The level of accidents is far too high on Irish farms and is something that I am particularly focused on.
192. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a transport scheme for the delivery of fodder to County Donegal and the north-west will be implemented ahead of an impending fodder crisis in view of the fact that transport costs will be higher for farmers in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53300/17]
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 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.
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.
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 15 October.
The roll-out of balancing payments under the BPS scheme has begun and brings the total paid under the Basic Payment Scheme to €1.106 bn, and 121,000 farmers have received a payment to date. In addition, over 90,000 farmers have been paid a total of €194m under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme to date. Advance payments of €100mn have issued under AEOS and GLAS scheme payments in the last few days.
In order to ensure a co-ordinated approach I recently convened a fodder group which is made up of all the main stakeholders including representatives of feed industry-co-ops, banking, farm bodies etc and the first meeting took place on Monday 11 December chaired by Teagasc.
Arising from the meeting, Teagasc are committed to assessing fodder availability in the south of the country to ascertain what supplies are still available for purchase.
Exploring these avenues means my Department will be fully informed of the situation on the ground and the best possible advice will be provided to farmers re their options.
193. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in an agricultural appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office has advised that a number of cases of a complex nature were required to be dealt with by the Appeals Officer dealing with the case concerned. The determination of such cases must be undertaken taking account of the legal requirements. I have been advised that every effort is being made to finalise the appeal submitted by the person named as a matter of urgency and that when all of the facts of the case have been fully considered a comprehensive decision letter will issue.
194. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which the forestry appeals committee is expected to start hearing appeals regarding a case (details supplied); if committee members have been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53435/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named received technical approval for her application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme in late September this year. A third party appeal against the decision was submitted to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and the technical approval has been suspended, pending the decision of the FAC.
It is expected that the FAC will shortly commence contacting applicants and appellants with regard to oral hearings. The FAC is an independent appeals process and until the Committee has decided on this appeal, the technical approval remains suspended.
195. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons (details supplied) have had their basic payment reduced; the grounds on which it was challenged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application in respect of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2017. During processing of this application an over claim was identified on one of the parcels declared. A letter issued on 30 June 2017 advising the person named of the over claim and of their right to seek a review.
A request for a review has not been received. An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named to clarify the position.
196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a herd number for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per my previous response to PQ 48683/17 of 21 November, the original application for a herd number was received on 10 November and a farm inspection carried out on 13 November; additional documentation was requested at this time. Once the applicant supplies the Regional Veterinary Office with the additional documentation required the application process will proceed. To date the Regional Veterinary Office has not received any further documentation.
197. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 5 December 2017, his plans to consider the development of a wildlife rehabilitation hospital and visitor centre in Fingal in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills, in view of the fact that such a proposition would be a new venture in an Irish context. [53477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department provides ex-gratia funding to organisations involved in protecting animal welfare. Applications for funding from animal welfare organisations are assessed by my Department and awards made on the basis of certain criteria, including the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities. Organisations applying for funding must sign up to a strict set of guidelines, be in existence for two years or more, be registered with the Charities Regulator and provide detailed accounts.
To date the organisation in question has not contacted my Department with an application for funding.
198. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on possible amendments to an agricultural scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53503/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued exceeding 11,660. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure under the TAMS II measure of the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. Until such time as these approvals are acted upon or expire the budget for TAMS must include provision for the potential expenditure involved. There are no proposals at present to increase the investment ceilings.
Of the applications approved 2,900 payment claims have been received to date. Payment claims submitted continue to be paid on an on- going basis. However, until such time as the works applied for and approved have been completed and payment claims submitted, payments cannot issue. All participants who have completed approved works are urged to submit their payment claims immediately to facilitate early payment.
199. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the absence of a time limit for the registration of newly born foals; if he has satisfied himself that the current arrangements are beneficial to stud owners in the collection of stud fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53505/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe timeframe for registration of equines is governed by EU legislation (Commission Implementing Regulation 2015/262). With effect from 1 January 2016, all equines born in the EU must be identified and issued with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the equine. In order to ensure that the 12 month deadline can be met, under the terms of S.I. 62 of 2016, the keeper of the equine must submit a completed application form for a passport for the equine to an appropriate approved Passport Issuing Organisation not later than 6 months from the date of the animal’s birth. An equine animal cannot be moved or sold unless it is accompanied by its equine passport.
It is an offence to keep an equine animal that is not identified in accordance with equine identification legislation.
The collection of stud fees by stud owners is not within the remit of my Department, and is therefore a matter for each individual stud owner.
200. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if approval will be given to allow for on-site incineration of invasive weeds (details supplied); his plans to counteract potential impacts of these invasive weeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53506/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing discussions between the Environmental Protection Agency, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Biodiversity Ireland, it was suggested that the level of regulation required for the management of waste arising from the cutting or excavation of invasive alien plant species may be disproportionate to the risk of environmental pollution posed by such activities.
Accordingly, in Autumn 2017, my Department sought submissions from a number of stakeholders on the possibility of an amendment to the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. 821 of 2007) as amended, whereby treating alien invasive plant species on-site could be authorised by a local authority under a certificate of registration. Such an approach would also require an amendment to the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 286 of 2009) as amended.
My Department is currently reviewing the submissions received with a view to engaging with the waste regulatory authorities on this issue again in early 2018.
201. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53274/17]
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 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.
The premises referred to by the Deputy are in an AMBER area.
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 26 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 roll-out. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
With regards to the matters raised in the correspondence supplied 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 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.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, 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.
202. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to correspondence (details supplied) from a company, if consideration has been given to providing some flexibility in cases in which small sections of certain roads have not been included in the roll-out of efibre. [53363/17]
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 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 a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
Premises not in the BLUE or LIGHT BLUE areas will, as noted in the correspondence supplied by the Deputy, be brought a high speed broadband service as part of the NBP State led intervention.
Decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll-out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are, as outlined in the supplied correspondence, 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.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, 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.
203. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the report on the cost of under-grounding the proposed EirGrid North-South interconnector will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the concerns of communities in counties Cavan and Monaghan in relation to the north south interconnector particularly in relation to health, land devaluation, property devaluation, tourism and heritage; if this project will be placed underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53383/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
On 21 December 2016 An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector project in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an Oral Hearing completed over eleven weeks from March to May of 2016.
Following the decision of An Bord Pleanála, I met with the local opposition groups and members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House on 8 February 2017 to listen to their point of view.
Motions were subsequently passed in both Dáil and Seanad Éireann calling on the Government to commission an independent report, incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector and a number of other related issues, and a study is underway to address these issues.
In the development of the Terms of Reference for this study, my officials met with the local opposition groups to get their views on the focus of the study. The terms of reference fulfil the central point of the motions that were passed in both Houses and the study will address as much of the issues raised by the opposition groups as is practicable.
Certain impacts such as environmental and health concerns will not be assessed since the statutory planning process is the appropriate method by which such impacts are assessed and evaluated. As Minister, I have an overarching duty, unless lawfully challenging a decision, to respect the decisions of lawfully established bodies.
I also met with a number of Oireachtas members on Tuesday 16 May to update them on the progress in relation to the proposed study and for the members to provide feedback.
The impact on land and property values and the level of compensation paid in lieu of such impacts was discussed and in response to these concerns I commissioned a study on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. The aim of the study is to provide a significant body of independently collated information on comparative practices in a number of jurisdictions.
The results of both studies are expected in Q1 2018.
205. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53446/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53450/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 to 214, inclusive, 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.
The table details percentage of premises to be covered by the State Intervention and through commercial investment in the areas identified by the Deputy.
|
County Name |
Townland |
AMBER % Premises within the NBP Intervention Area |
BLUE % Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
LIGHT BLUE premises planned rural deployment |
|
Coolananagh, (Newcestown) |
17% (8) |
83%(38) |
||
|
Boggra (Newcestown) |
75% (6) |
25%(2) |
||
|
Dunisky |
100% (76) |
|||
|
Teergay |
100% (24) |
|||
|
Ballynora (Woodbrook) |
78%(150) |
21%(41) |
1%(2) |
|
|
Currabeg (Glenlee) |
37% (25) |
62% (42) |
1%(1) |
|
|
Gurteenroe (Milbrook Close) |
17% (102 |
83% (512) |
||
|
Kilnamartyra (Clohina) |
100% (29) |
|||
|
Cork |
An Ceapach Thiar, Baile Mhuirne |
68% (17) |
32% (8) |
|
|
Kilnagurteen(Masseytown) |
5% (16) |
95% (305) |
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 26 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 roll-out. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide High speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing the roll-out by the end of 2018. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie .
Quarterly updates on eir's rural deployment are published on this website. Following evaluation by officials from my Department of eir's Q3 update of its rural deployment of high speed broadband I can confirm that eir has met its Q3 target of 101,000 premises passed.
Prior to the roll-out of the NBP State led intervention, practical initiatives continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, 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.
