Written Answers Nos. 1-27
12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the provision of broadband in all areas is progressing in line with expectations; if he anticipates the provision of services to the blank spaces between services within a reasonable time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan aims to ensure high speed broadband access of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location through a State led intervention and commercial investment. In April 2017 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 NBP. The Map is colour coded and is searchable by address or eircode. I also 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. As of end March this year eir has passed 145,00 premises and has committed to completing this rollout. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at the fibrerollout.ie website.
The procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State led intervention area is now in its final stages. My Department will engage with the successful company on the most efficient rollout of the network.
In the interim, high speed broadband services continues to be rolled out through significant commercial investment by commercial operators to a value of €2.75 billion in the last 5 years. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises the length and breadth of Ireland will have access to high speed broadband.
For those premises awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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.
13. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will liaise with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to prepare official guidelines to regulate solar energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23803/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issuing of statutory guidelines for planning authorities under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and I have no direct function in the matter. Given the significant level of interest in developing solar energy projects in Ireland, I wrote to my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government last year, and we agreed that both Departments would engage at senior level to explore the potential for enhancing national planning level guidance on solar energy.
My officials are engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on this matter taking account of solar energy projects being assessed by planning authorities and the scope for future development of the sector in the context of emerging and future policy direction in the area of renewable energy generally.
My Department's engagement with Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government officials will also examine if scope exists to streamline wider regulatory measures in a manner sufficient to enhance the development of solar energy, such as enhancing current exemptions from planning permissions in relation to rooftop solar installations.
Given the interrelationships between the development of our renewable energy potential and strategic planning objectives as laid out in Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework, both Departments will work to progress these matters in the coming months.
14. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Price Monitoring Group will display the prices for each company that it monitors on its website in the interest of transparency for consumers of the household waste collection market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23969/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Price Monitoring Group is displaying the prices for each company that it monitors on its website at present and it has published the detailed data on the prices it is tracking on a monthly basis. The most recent analysis from April was published on 25 May 2018 and is available on my Department's website. Last summer, I established the Price Monitoring Group to monitor pricing developments for residential household waste collection services during the phasing out of flat rate fees. The Group is chaired by Mr Frank Conway, an independent financial expert. The membership of the Group also includes a statistician from the Central Statistics Office and Shelfwatch, an independent price monitoring group. The Group monitors 26 service providers; this comprises 19 individual companies with several of those being monitored in more than one area. I have recently decided to extend the operation of the Price Monitoring Group to the end of the year to continue it monitoring of pricing developments.
The Price Monitoring Group was not established to provide a price comparison service. This would require whole-of-market monitoring of the sixty plus household waste collectors in the country across the different areas they provide a service. Accordingly, while the company names are not currently being published, the prices quoted by the companies being tracked are made available by the Group for all to see.
The Chair of the Price Monitoring Group, Mr Conway, has recently reported to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment that while fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend is relative price stability for householders. The Price Monitoring Group has reported that there are currently 9 different types of price models on the market. The main price examples include a service charge plus charge per bin lift, with an excess per kg charge, and a service charge plus per kg weight charge. The most popular service offering now is the ‘service charge including weight allowance, plus per kg charge for excess above allowance’.
15. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the input his Department has into ensuring the viability of the rural post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra34. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to assist An Post with its sustainability issues; the measures he is taking to protect the rural post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra37. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work his Department has carried out with An Post regarding the future of the rural post office network. [18911/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development to retain and rejuvenate the rural post office network. [18902/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra43. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of An Post's New Vision plan; and the way in which he will support the rollout of new State services to post offices. [23958/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 34, 37, 40 and 43 together.
As Minister, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post. I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural and urban areas on services provided by post offices and am concerned to ensure the needs of those communities continue to be met.
As part of its strategy for modernising the post office network, An Post has established a dedicated business unit within An Post, An Post Retail. An Post's recently announced vision for the post office network centres around the availability of new services in a modernised, revitalised network. Such services will include a better range of Government services, financial services and e-commerce services for shoppers and small businesses. The announcement by An Post is supported by an agreement reached with the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) executive following three months of intensive negotiations, which has subsequently been endorsed by 80% of IPU members.
The agreement represents a positive first step in reinvigorating our national post office network and making it a viable sustainable, modern and vibrant network for the future, capable of adapting to the changing environment in which it operates by providing a service that meets the needs of communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.
We are already seeing a number of important new business initiatives being progressed.
A pilot e-Local service was launched by An Post last year in three districts- Bantry, Mullingar and Ennis. This service combines the strengths of online commerce with that of An Post mails network for the benefit of local business. It gives local business an edge over national and international online operators by connecting retailers with their customers both online and in person. A key feature of the eLocal.ie service is that An Post will give each retailer an online presence, displaying their goods and services, and enabling online orders.
As part of its consideration of the financial position of An Post, Government agreed that further opportunities for Government business through the Post Office Network, particularly the payment of motor tax, should be explored. While Government policy is to offer Government services online, there is always likely to be a segment of the population that is not comfortable or proficient accessing online tools or services. The post office network is the obvious choice as the “offline gateway” for citizens with its nationwide network and existing strong relationship with offline citizens. My Department has engaged with An Post and other relevant stakeholders such as the Office of Government Procurement, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and other Government Departments to assess how additional Government business might be channelled through the post office network. Discussions have been positive in this regard.
The first practical step that the Government is taking in this area is to rollout the digital assist pilot programme. Under that programme, post offices will provide access to a wide range of Government services. Government funding of €80,000 has been secured, by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, for the roll-out of the pilot scheme. Ten post offices will be equipped to help citizens with online Government interactions. The ten pilot schemes will be located in rural post offices and will be in place later this year.
In April 2018 the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection renewed her Department’s contract with An Post to provide pensions, Child Benefit and other social welfare payments in cash at Post Offices. Last year’s contract amounted to €51 million for 33.6 million payments, and the value of the 2018 contract is expected to match that. This re-affirms Government policy which sees the post office network as a key piece of the country’s financial and social infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Accordingly, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to actively encourage payment at post offices.
In addition to this the National Treasury Management Agency also provides significant business to An Post.
I appreciate that there is concern regarding the potential closure of post offices. An Post have advised that under the terms of the new agreement between An Post and the IPU some postmasters who wish to retire will be offered a voluntary severance package. There will be no compulsory closures of Post Offices as a consequence of this new deal. Postmasters have until July 31st next to signal their intentions in this matter. It is important to note that a new protocol has been established which sets out how An Post will facilitate the continued provision of Post Office services in areas where an existing postmasters retires or ceases operating an existing Post Office. In such cases An Post will make an assessment on the future provision of post office services within the locality by reference to specific agreed criteria.
Any individuals, groups or representatives concerned with the decision can apply to have An Post’s decision reviewed through a new independent review process which will determine if An Post has correctly applied the criteria outlined in the protocol. Details of the independent review process will be specified in the notice detailing the decision of the future post office services within the relevant post office and will also be detailed on the An Post website.
All avenues are being explored to ensure services available through the post office network are enhanced in order that we have a strong, sustainable, customer focussed network
16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all procurement related activities will be halted pending the determination of the judicial review in view of the recent decision regarding an incinerator development in Northern Ireland and the impending judicial review of the proposed North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the procurement process that he approved some time ago will be halted in view of a judicial review in Northern Ireland in relation to the proposed North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23924/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the North-South Interconnector project; and if the transmission lines will be undergrounded. [23918/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 22 and 47 together.
The North South Interconnector, as proposed as an overhead line, has full planning permission in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. On 21 December 2016 An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the North-South Interconnector in Ireland. The decision concluded a lengthy planning process which included an Oral Hearing completed over eleven weeks from March to May of 2016. On 23 January 2018, full planning permission was also granted for the section of the line that lies in Northern Ireland.
The approval process for that part of the North South Interconnector in Northern Ireland is a matter for the authorities there. The Judgement referred to in the question relates to a different project although it has been acknowledged that it could have wider implications for decision making in Northern Ireland. I understand that the decision is being appealed by the Department for Infrastructure in Belfast.
Following the planning consents, and the conclusion of a number of judicial review proceedings relating to the planning decision in Ireland, the construction of the project and any procurement processes that arise from that construction are operational matters for EirGrid and ESB Networks, and one in which I have no function.
17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for a reduction in the dependency on fossil fuels with particular reference to the need to reach targets already set in the shortest possible time; if a campaign to encourage the use of electric motor cars will be considered; if specific new objectives can be identified in the context of a reduction in fossil fuel based electricity generation thus making a major contribution to offset climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has identified the primary issues and actions required to address the issue of climate change with particular reference to the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, encourage the use of motor vehicles not dependent on fossil fuels and other measures likely to address the issues in the short to medium term and in line with EU targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24162/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 183 together.
The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and envisages a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the energy system by 80-95% relative to 1990 levels by 2050. The White Paper identifies the importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050 but also recognises that some fossil fuels will remain significant elements of Ireland’s energy supply in that transition period.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter target also being legally binding.
Overall, provisional SEAI analysis shows that 10.6% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources, with an expectation that Ireland will achieve at least 80% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020. The SEAI has also estimated that the contribution of renewables avoided €276 million of fossil fuel imports in 2017.
The Programme for Government commits to supporting the transition of peat power plants to greater amounts of biomass whilst mindful of the need to develop a sustainable indigenous supply chain and support employment in the regions. Furthermore, the National Mitigation Plan 2017 restates the Government's commitment to move from a fossil fuel based electricity system to a low carbon power system.
The Government has also adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy including the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. In addition, my Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030.
Ireland aims to increase renewable energy in transport by increasing the use of sustainable biofuels and by the increased deployment of Electric Vehicles. An Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme is in place to provide grant aid of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new full battery EV (EV) or Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000. Budget 2018 extended VRT reliefs on PHEVs to end 2018 and on EVs to end 2021. A new grant to support the installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs is in place since January 2018.
An electric vehicle public awareness campaign was developed by SEAI and launched on the opening day of the SEAI Energy Show last month. The first phase of the campaign includes a new website (www.DrivingElectric.ie ) which provides information on the benefits of buying and driving an EV, the EV models available and where to arrange a test drive. The accompanying advertising campaign will be followed by a series of national, regional and local roadshows providing the public with the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles.
The Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce, which is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is considering the measures and options available to Government to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles. This has led to an expanded range of supports for electric vehicles (EVs).
The focus of my Department remains firmly on meeting our 2020 renewable target and on implementation of renewable energy measures, including the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the proposed deposit and return scheme will be supported as a part of the Waste Reduction Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is currently one of the top performing countries in the EU in terms of recycling and recovery. The EPA Progress Report Towards EU Targets 2017 showed that Ireland recycled 34% by weight of plastics in 2015, counting exclusively material that is recycled back into plastics. The EU target is 22.5% and Ireland is clearly well ahead of this target.
A private member’s Waste Reduction Bill was introduced to the House last year. On its introduction, I fully supported the intention of the Bill to reduce plastic waste, but I expressed reservations in relation to certain aspects of it, including the introduction of a Deposit and Return scheme for sealed containers in which beverages are sold.
My main concern in this regard was in relation to the potential costs versus the benefits of the introduction of such a scheme. I am of the belief that the operational and economic impacts of a Deposit and Return Scheme on an existing successful producer responsibility scheme need to be assessed thoroughly.
In addition, the effect of the introduction of such a scheme on domestic collections needs to be evaluated. If we take the more valuable material out of the domestic recycling bin, waste costs for households will rise.
In light of this, I asked the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to look at the merits of a deposit and refund scheme at a national level. The Committee’s report, which was published this week, recommends that the Bill proceed to Committee Stage. However, it also suggests that the following may merit consideration:
- firstly, whether adequate up-to-date analysis has been completed to support a Deposit and Return Scheme; and
- secondly, whether alternatives to the proposal have been adequately addressed to ascertain whether the proposal reflects the most feasible, efficient and sustainable option which will most likely achieve the best environmental benefits while minimising financial/economic risks, Exchequer outlay, both set-up and annual costs, and the compliance burden.
In the absence of an examination and a clear understanding of the costs and impacts, I will not be in position to support the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme in the manner proposed by the Waste Reduction Bill.
19. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of his Department's interaction with commercial providers in relation to their roll-out of broadband provision in County Kildare; the extent of their plans for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23963/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23970/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 44 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. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
In April 2017 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
There are over 90,700 premises in Kildare. Some 13,400 (15%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. Nearly 74,000 (82%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are, or will be, served by commercial providers, while approximately 3,300 (3%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment. A county by county breakdown of eir’s data for Q1 2018 is available on my Department’s website.
Information on categories of premises can be accessed on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie by entering the relevant eircode into the High Speed Broadband Map.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
As per the obligations of the Commitment Agreement, officials from my Department meet with eir on a monthly basis to review the company’s performance on its ongoing rural deployment, including Kildare. The purpose of these review meetings is for eir to report progress and also to identify any risks or issues and their associated risk mitigation plans.
Data for Q1 2018 recently submitted by eir to my Department indicates that the company has passed some 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. eir has signalled that there would be likely knock-on effects to the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma. I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
20. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan in isolated rural areas. [19080/18]
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. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. In April 2017 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 NBP.
The Map is colour coded and is 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
The Commitment Agreement signed with eir relates to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir remains committed to completing this rollout. 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.
Data for Q1 2018 recently submitted by eir to my Department indicates that the company has passed some 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. eir has signalled that there would be some knock-on effects to the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma. I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
There are more than 40,000 premises in County Sligo of which some 14,300 are located in the AMBER area and are part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. Some remaining 25,800 premises are located in the BLUE/Light BLUE areas on the map and will be served by commercial operators and include nearly 3,800 premises that fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband.
There are more than 22,300 premises In Co Leitrim, of which almost 11,300 premises are located in the AMBER area and are part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. Some remaining 11,000 premises are located in the BLUE/Light BLUE areas and will be served by commercial operators. This figure includes nearly 2,500 premises that fall within eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintains a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
21. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the implementation status of the national broadband plan; and the date by which the contract for the State intervention area will be awarded. [23959/18]
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. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. In April 2017 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 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 rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
There are over 68,400 premises in County Clare, circa 45,200 of which fall within a BLUE area of the Map and will be covered by commercial operators. Of these 45,200, over 8,700 form part of eir's planned rural deployment to deliver rural high speed broadband. The remaining 23,200 premises in County Clare fall within the AMBER area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the NBP.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
23. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for alternative tendering options for household waste collection in line with models that exist across the EU. [23939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra24. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will commission a report on the feasibility of the remunicipalisation of the household waste collection service in view of the rising costs, poorer services and the increased difficulties in achieving sustainable waste management under the current privatised system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23893/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is currently conducting a study on the operation of the household waste collection market which it will complete in 2018.
I understand that the study will assess the nature and scale of consumer and operator issues in the household waste collection market and consider if the introduction of an enhanced regulatory regime could efficiently address these issues in the short and long term. I have been informed that the study will include the following elements:
- research on current issues in the waste sector;
- an economic assessment of the household waste collection market;
- an overview of waste collection in other countries; and
- recommendations, based on the evidence collected, to address any systemic issues uncovered.
Separately, I also established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (PMG) last year to monitor the rates charged by household waste collectors during the phasing out of flat rate fees. The PMG has met each month since September 2017 and has considered eight months of pricing data trends. The PMG has indicated that, in the vast majority of cases to date, prices have remained stable.
The results from the PMG in conjunction with the study being undertaken by the CCPC will provide an evidence base for future policy decisions in relation to the household waste market.
25. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to address the mobile coverage blackspots, especially in rural areas; the position in relation to the outstanding actions remaining which were identified in the mobile phone and broadband taskforce report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23972/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the frustration felt by Irish consumers where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Accordingly, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, which contained 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits. The Implementation Group which I co-chair with Minister Kyne is overseeing implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. This includes ComReg, which attends as both an action owner, and in an observer capacity in its role as the independent Regulator. Minister Kyne and I published the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 on 21 February 2018, which comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on the actions identified by the Taskforce. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the National Stakeholder Forum, an additional 23 new measures have been identified for delivery in 2018, which will lead to improvements for consumers across Ireland.
The fifth meeting of the Taskforce Implementation Group was held on 25 April 2018, and the Quarter 1 2018 Progress Report has since been published on my Department’s website. This report offers progress updates on all Q1 actions.
In terms of addressing mobile coverage blackspots, various initiatives are under way:
- My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development have worked to achieve a greater consensus around site selection for telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.
- Both Departments also worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. This pilot exercise has been completed, with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to provide additional coverage on an economic basis. This exercise is ongoing, and has been included in the 2018 Taskforce Work Programme. It is planned to have dedicated Geographic Information System (GIS) resources in place to support this.
- Under Action 40 of the 2016 Report, a review was conducted to identify recommendations to address blackspots. This work is continuing in 2018 under a focus group to inform future policy development and initiatives. The focus group will provide guidance with respect to categories of locations where high quality mobile phone coverage should be made available as a priority.
- ComReg is also delivering a composite national coverage map, which will, in tandem with its work on handset testing and activities to raise consumer awareness, allow people across Ireland to optimise the services available to them.
In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for the introduction of 5G, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.
All of these initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas.
26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered establishing a support scheme for the development of microgeneration across the State. [23941/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress which has been made to further explore opportunities for supporting micro generation of renewable energy as an important role in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I am committed to exploring opportunities for micro generation further, as I believe micro generation not only offers customers protection from rising energy costs, but also because micro generation could enhance broader social engagement with renewable energy projects across Ireland and enable the transition to a low carbon economy. Furthermore, micro generation will be required given the scale of our climate and energy ambition as laid out in the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.
The proposed pilot scheme for micro generation which I announced earlier this year will target solar PV and self-consumption amongst domestic customers. It is important that before a scheme like this is introduced, the likely demand for the scheme is understood and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are currently undertaking a study which will inform the final design of this pilot. It is equally important that safety, technical and training requirements are established in advance of this pilot scheme being rolled out.
The data gathered during the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro generation in Ireland that may be appropriate, as we align with the ambition of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which recognises the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers. This pilot scheme will deliver on ambitions and commitments made in the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government.
Last year, my Department assessed micro generation, across a number of renewable electricity generating technologies, as part of the economic analysis to underpin the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The assessment identified technical and financial challenges which may need to be addressed before a broader support scheme for micro generation can be introduced. This is in line with international experience, including across the EU, where many member states who have introduced supports for micro generation have had to reform them or cancel them altogether.
The reality is that bringing microgen onto a system designed for large generators is complicated. It impacts how we pay for the network, how we manage regulation and how we technically manage the system. My Department is continuing to work closely with the micro generation sector and the SEAI to better understand how to validate and further develop these policies in a fair and cost effective manner.
