Written Answers Nos. 2060-2079
2060. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and name of the groups he met each month to date in 2018 that fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33705/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, persons who fall within the scope of the Act who communicate with designated public officials about relevant matters must register and submit returns of lobbying activity.
Details of lobbying activity can be accessed on the register of lobbying maintained under the Act by the Standards in Public Office Commission at www.lobbying.ie.
2062. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes and businesses in County Cork without high speed broadband; the number by geographic unit within the county; when he expects these homes and businesses to have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33791/18]
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, seven out of ten of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, nine out of ten 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.
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 approximately 270,000 premises in Cork. Approximately 75,000 (28%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention. Approximately 178,000 (66%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be served by commercial providers, while approximately 17,000 (6%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.
A document outlining the approximate number of premises which fall into each category in every townland in Cork is attached. Information on categories of specific 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.
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. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/. A copy of the commitment agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
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/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
2063. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to remove the immunity from prosecution provided to the EPA in section 15 of the EPA Act of 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33857/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 171 of 23 May 2018.
In that reply I stated that I had no plans to amend section 15 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, either in response to the 2011 recommendation from the Environmental Protection Agency Review Group or otherwise. Notwithstanding the Review Group recommendation, I indicated that I am not satisfied that a basis exists to support a proposal for amendment having regard, in particular, to the potential implications for the effective discharge by the agency of its statutory functions and the potential impact of such a precedent on the effective operation of other State bodies.
The position remains unchanged.
2064. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action that has been taken to address the concerns regarding the low level of prosecutions of big business polluters raised in the review of the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the replies to Questions No. 48 of 15 March 2017 and 497 of 3 October 2017.
In my reply in March 2017, I stated my view that rigorous implementation of environmental policy and legislation, underpinned by the principle of proportionality, is the appropriate approach to adopt in protecting our environment. The Environmental Protection Agency is the independent statutory body responsible for protecting the environment in Ireland and the agency performs a wide range of statutory functions in fulfilment of its mandate.
In my October 2017 reply to a separate question, I set out the position in relation to 15 recommendations from the 2011 review group report. The position on recommendation 7.3.1 was as follows: “As part of its enforcement policy, the EPA considers and uses a range of enforcement tools including issuing non-compliances to formal enforcement processes such as prosecutions. Details of prosecutions taken by the EPA are published on the EPA website www.epa.ie.” That position is unchanged.
On recommendation 7.3.1, I am satisfied that the agency is aware of and has regard to the deterrent effect of prosecution in cases where questions of enforcement action arise for consideration.
2065. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on his visit to New York; the persons who travelled with him from his Department; the meetings he attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI participated in the High Level Segment of the 2018 session of the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which took place in New York from Monday 16 July to Wednesday 18 July 2018.
I was accompanied by my private secretary, my press and policy advisors, and the assistant secretary with responsibility for climate action and environment within my Department.
Three officials from the Sustainable Development, Environment Co-ordination and Governance Division within my Department had previously travelled to New York to attend the non-Ministerial segment of the HLPF, which took place from 9-13 July 2018. These three officials remained in New York during my participation in the High Level Segment.
The HLPF is the global UN platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. The aim of the HLPF in this regard is to identify best practice, exchange knowledge, highlight common challenges, and improve cooperation in relation to the implementation SDGs, which were agreed in 2015 by UN member states.
At the HLPF this year, I delivered Ireland's first Voluntary National Review (VNR), thus fulfilling one of the actions committed to under Ireland's SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020. The VNR provides domestic and international audiences with a comprehensive overview of Ireland’s progress towards meeting the SDGs and of how Ireland is supporting the SDGs’ global achievement.
In addition to the VNR, I also delivered Ireland's National Statement to the HLPF.
Supplementary to attending formal meetings of the HLPF, while in New York I also met with:
Senior management at Facebook, further to the recent Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme "Inside Facebook: Secrets of the Social Network".
Representatives of the Office of the Major of New York City, in relation to Ireland's climate action policy
Representatives of Enet, in relation to the National Broadband Plan
Representatives of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in relation to Ireland's support for the Convention's work
Representatives of Bloomberg, in relation to climate action
Members of the Irish Business Organisation of New York, in relation to business and the environment
Representatives of Irish civil society organisations attending the HLPF, in relation to Ireland's implementation of the SDGs
The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for International Migration, in relation to migration issues
Representatives of a wide range of other countries attending the HLPF
I also attended an SDG Business Forum High Level Lunch, hosted for Heads of Delegations at the UN Headquarters, and delivered opening remarks at a meeting, hosted by Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN on the margins of the HLPF, on the work of the Central Statistics Office in relation to the SDGs.
I also announced that Ireland would be giving up to €1.2 million to the UNCCD to support the further development of the Great Green Wall initiative in Africa and €800,000 to support the UN Climate Change Convention in delivering its capacity building programmes, with a particular focus on the gender impacts of climate change.
2066. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a universal service obligation on mobile telephony providers in relation to the need to provide adequate and up to date mobile telephone coverage throughout the entire country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current EU and national regulatory framework for telecommunications allows for the application of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) in respect of fixed voice services. This framework has, in my view served consumers well over several decades and ensured that householders can get an affordable fixed voice service, regardless of where they are located.
That existing framework for telecommunications relates solely to voice telephony and Functional Internet Access (28.8 kilobits per second). There is no provision in European or national regulation for a USO in relation to mobile voice services.
The Proposed Directive Establishing a European Electronic Communications Code COM 2016/590, which is expected to come into force in late 2020, aims to incentivise and encourage increased investment in high speed broadband networks, and contains a provision that would allow Member States to apply a USO for high speed broadband, in specific circumstances, where such networks are available.
Mobile operators are however rolling out 3G and 4G networks across Ireland following ComReg’s 2012 Multiband Spectrum auction, with at least one operator now having over 90% population coverage of 4G services.
2067. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate mobile telephone coverage in many parts of counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he, his Department or the Communications Regulator will engage with mobile telecoms providers to ensure that customers in that area are provided with improved coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2068. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of measures being taken to improve the quality of mobile phone coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33969/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2070. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when mobile coverage in an urban area (details supplied) will be rectified under the mobile broadband taskforce. [34042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2067, 2068 and 2070 together.
Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations. The ComReg consumer helpline is accessible at consumerline@comreg.ie and I would urge consumers who feel they have not received an appropriate response from service providers to make contact with the Regulator.
Notwithstanding ComReg's independence, I 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 I co-chair with the Minister of State, Deputy Seán 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, that will lead to improvements for consumers across Ireland.
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 a dedicated GIS resources in place to support this.
- A working group has been established with the remit of investigating the feasibility of developing standardised policy for accessing and utilising State assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
- ComReg is 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.
- Following a consultation process ComReg has developed a licensing scheme which will enable households and businesses to use mobile phone repeaters to boost signals into their premises and bring immediate improvements in mobile coverage.
All of these initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas.
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.
2069. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; the estimated cost of those claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33994/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment Departments and other State agencies, whose claims are delegated for management by the State Claims Agency, operate under State indemnity, that is a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the costs of claims. Accordingly, my Department does not have conventional insurance cover for public liability, buildings cover, employer liability etc., and does not incur premium costs.
My Department currently has one outstanding claim, the estimated cost of which cannot be determined at this point.
The information sought by the Deputy regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
Question No. 2071 answered with Question No. 2055.
2072. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for broadband services to become available in counties Cavan and Monaghan under the national broadband plan; the status of fibre installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2073. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of household and businesses waiting on the roll out of the national broadband plan in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath and nationally, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34061/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2072 and 2073 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, seven out of ten of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, nine out of ten 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.
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 as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
The approximate number of premises which fall into each of these categories in the counties referred to by the Deputy is outlined in the following table.
|
County |
Total |
Premises within the NBP Intervention Area |
Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
Premises within eir planned rural deployment |
|
Cavan |
42,000 |
40% (17,000) |
48% (20,000) |
12% (5,000) |
|
Monaghan |
33,000 |
47% (15,500) |
47% (15,500) |
6% (2,000) |
|
Meath |
85,500 |
23% (20,000) |
71% (60,500) |
6% (5,000) |
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.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to approximately 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
As of March 2018, eir passed over 3,200 premises in Cavan, 3,000 premises in Monaghan and 9,700 premises in Meath with further premises to be passed as part of the rollout in these counties.
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/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx .
2074. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high speed broadband will be available at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2082. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high speed broadband will be available at a location (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34330/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2074 and 2082 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, seven out of ten of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, nine out of ten 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.
Both premises referred to in the Question are in an AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map. They are therefore included in the State Intervention Area 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.
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/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
2075. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's spending on travel and subsistence expenses in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure incurred by my Department on travel and subsistence expenses amounted to €1,032,848.35 in 2017 and €627,532.08 in the period from 1 January to 20 July 2018.
2076. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's expenditure on photography and other promotional services including the creation of social media content in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2077. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's expenditure on public relations in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2076 and 2077 together.
My Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on public relations, communications advice, photography and other promotional services from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and keeping expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The selection and contracting of photography services and other promotional services for my Department is carried out as part of competitive procurement processes in line with Office of Government Procurement guidelines.
The information requested is outlined in tabular format:
|
Departmental spend |
2017 |
2018 to date |
|
Public Relations |
€126,855 |
€18,253 |
|
Photography and other promotional services |
€156,406 |
€17,205 |
2078. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's expenditure on external consultancy in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34260/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, environment, climate change and public broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on consultancies from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The expenditure by my Department on consultancies in 2017 and to date in 2018 is €14,730,026.
2079. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of each non-Civil Service appointment that has been made in his Department; the pay grade of each appointment; and the relevant qualifications that each appointee has for their position. [34277/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister the following have been appointed as temporary unestablished civil servants in my Department:
Ms Suzie Coogan was appointed as press and media advisor and was previously employed as a journalist, Government advisor and communications director for an international NGO;
Mr Ross Elwood was appointed as special advisor with responsibility for policy and was previously employed in the Oireachtas and the European Parliament;
Ms Jean Andrews was appointed as special advisor with responsibility for policy and was previously the head of policy and external affairs for the Global Reporting Initiative. Ms Andrews was appointed in May, 2018 to replace Mr Elwood who has left the role.
Special advisors are appointed on the Civil Service Principal Officer salary scale.
In addition, I appointed two civilian drivers. Civilian drivers are appointed on the Civil Service clerical officer pay scale.
All of the above appointments were made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s "Instruction to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil".
