Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Thursday, 21 Feb 2019

Written Answers Nos. 145-164

Dairy Sector

Ceisteanna (145)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

145. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the heat recovery technology element of grant aid under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, will be removed to enable it to be included in the SEAI dairy farm energy grants (details supplied). [8789/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Heat recovery technology which is grant aided under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II is among the basket of investments which aim to ensure the sustainable development of dairy farming. To date 94 farmers have availed of a grant for these new heat recovery systems. There are no proposals to remove this investment from TAMS II.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offer grant assistance to farmers in the Dairy Sector for the retrofitting of variable speed drive technology to vacuum pumps and milk pumps.

This is an example of the collaborative approach to driving the national sustainability agenda.

Meat Processing Plants

Ceisteanna (146)

John Brassil

Ceist:

146. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the legislation allowing feedlots to be owned or contracted by meat processing companies here will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8823/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has a role in relation to herds being assigned feedlot status for specific reasons, for example related to animal health status. The Department, however, does not have a role in relation to the ownership or contracting of feedlots, both of which are commercial activities.

Bovine Disease Controls

Ceisteanna (147)

John Brassil

Ceist:

147. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of cattle from bovine feedlots that are exported; the percentage being slaughtered in food processing factories here, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8824/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

TB programme defined feedlots are not permitted to export animals.

All animals from TB programme defined feedlots are slaughtered in EU approved slaughter plants.

Meat Processing Plant Inspections

Ceisteanna (148, 149, 150)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

148. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, the number of inspections; if the calibration of the grading machines has been interfered with in each of the past three years; the number of discrepancies found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8846/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

149. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, his plans to replace the grading machines and software; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8847/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

150. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, if daily control reports of each automated grading machines are maintained by meat plants; if so, if they specifically record faults or inaccuracies; if reviews of such reports are conducted during unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8860/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. In 2018, my Department conducted almost 550 unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 factories on classification and carcase presentation. In 2017 there were 628 inspections carried out and 616 inspections in 2016. I am advised that there is no evidence that there has been any interference with the calibration of these machines over the past three years.

Weekly control reports are generated by the company that services and maintains the mechanical classification machines on behalf of the factories and a copy is sent to each individual factory and a copy emailed to my Department on a weekly basis. These reports are reviewed on a weekly basis by my Department.

The mechanical grading machines are the property of each individual meat plant. My Department has no responsibility for their replacement. It is a decision for the Industry, meat plants individually or collectively.

Young Farmers Scheme

Ceisteanna (151)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

151. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 504 of 5 February 2019, when the administrative and on-farm checks in relation to a small number of young farmers scheme applications (details supplied) will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8865/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The on-farm check in respect of the Young Farmers Scheme application from the person named took place on 18th February 2019. The remaining checks are now being finalised and if the applicant is deemed eligible, the Young Farmers Scheme payment will issue. If it is found that the applicant is ineligible he will receive a report setting out the reasons for that decision and his options for review and appeal.

Afforestation Programme

Ceisteanna (152)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

152. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, on behalf of the person named, was commenced in July 2018. Certain mandatory documents, such as evidence of the site notice in situ, maps and declarations are required before an application is deemed complete. These documents were finalised on 24th January 2019 and the application acknowledged.

At the time the completed application is acknowledged, it is advertised on my Department’s website, which commences the 30-day period for public consultation. The application has also been referred to the local authority for their views. Finally, it has been referred to a forestry inspector of my Department. The inspector will review the entire application, including any submissions received from the public and make recommendations on its suitability, taking into account the effect of the proposal on a number of considerations, including the environment, landscape and water.

A decision will issue to the applicant and their registered forester once the assessment of the application is complete. Please note that no decision may issue before the 30 day consultation period has elapsed.

Bord Bia

Ceisteanna (153)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

153. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body Bord Bia has commissioned to carry out quality assurance audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8890/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Bord Bia currently operates seven Quality Assurance Schemes.

The Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) and the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) are the two biggest schemes. Agridata and Capita Customer Solutions were selected as independent auditor bodies for farm audits, following a public procurement process in 2017.

For the other Quality Assurance Schemes, i.e Pigs, Poultry, Eggs, Horticulture and Meat Processors, a panel of individual auditors by sector was selected following a public procurement process, with contracts awarded in early 2018. The panel consists of 5 pig auditors, 4 poultry auditors, 4 egg farm auditors, 8 horticulture auditors and 10 meat processor auditors.

All of the Bord Bia schemes are accredited by INAB (the Irish National Accreditation Board). Bord Bia receives an annual audit from INAB. The accreditation process also involves initial and ongoing assessment of the auditors’ competence.

TAMS Funding

Ceisteanna (154)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

154. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants available to agricultural contractors that are SMEs and not farmers who do not have a herd number and wish to purchase slurry spreading machinery which has low emissions and is environmentally friendly in line with climate action policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8917/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EU regulations that govern the TAMS II Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 dictate that the recipients must be farmers, or groups of farmers.

Therefore the Department is precluded from funding the purchase of LESS (Low Emission Slurry Spreading) equipment by contractors under TAMS II. The Department is, however, committed to the use of this equipment with over 660 applications funded to date under the LESS measure under TAMS II.

EU Meetings

Ceisteanna (155)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the issues discussed at his recent meeting with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Mr. Karmenu Vella; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8924/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, I met with Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella in Brussels on Monday of this week to discuss the potential negative impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish fishing industry.

We discussed a number of issues including potential loss of access for Irish and other EU vessels to the UK fishing zone, the need to ensure ongoing protection of fish stocks in the waters around Ireland from a subsequent increase in fishing activity, and potential mitigation measures at EU level.

We also discussed the recent EU Commission proposals concerning the possible use of temporary cessation measures, quota swapping with the UK and potential reciprocal access in a ‘no deal’ situation.

I emphasised the necessity for the Commission to continue its leading role in ensuring that there will be a coordination mechanism on the actual application of any temporary cessation, identifying fleets and stocks most vulnerable to a disorderly Brexit and exploring additional possible mitigation measures to safeguard these stocks.

There has been a number of meetings at official level between the EU Commission and the relevant Member States in recent weeks on these issues and my Department, with the support of our Marine Agencies, have been fully engaged in these. Further meetings are planned in the coming days and weeks.

I am also continuing to work closely with key stakeholders in the Irish fishing industry and am pleased at the level of unity on these key issues.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Ceisteanna (156)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

156. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial allocations on an annual basis under the 2014-2020 RDP for schemes (details supplied); the annual amount expended on the schemes in each year since they were established and to date in 2019; the number of active participants in the scheme; and the number of approved applicants that subsequently withdrew from each scheme in tabular form. [8929/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the following table.  The financial allocation for each scheme for the year 2020 will be considered as part of the Estimates process later this year.

Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

Year 1 2017

25m

20.33m

19,395

305

Year 2 2018

23m

15.4m1

18,992

403

Year 3 2019

22m

Payments due to commence Autumn 2019 in respect of Year 3

18,889

103

GLAS

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme3

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

2015

See note 2

N/A

N/A

N/A

2016

138.5m

103m

35,382

218

2017

228.5m

196m

49,872

1778

2018

226m

232m

49,119

380

2019 to date

202.9m

15m

48,897

17

TAMS II

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

2015

0

0

2,599

N/A

2016

28m

3.971m

7,684

N/A

2017

49.831m

31.256m

12,172

N/A

2018

69.943m

66.716m

17,101

N/A

2019 to date

69.482m

10.505m

18,836

N/A

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

Year 1 2017/ 2018

20m

18.42m

21,020

346

Year 2 2018 / 2019

18m

15.14m.

Year 2 balancing payments due to issue in Quarter 2 of 2019.

18,738

892

Hen Harrier Programme

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

2017

2m

0.717m

0

0

2018

3.5m

2.005m

629

2019 to date

4.134m

0.619m

6294

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Year

Annual Financial allocation €

Annual Amount Spent €

No. of active participants in scheme

No. of approved applicants that withdrew

2015

52m

30.1m

29,903

2016

51m

61m

2017

52m

47.5m

2018

49.5m

46.2m

 

2019 to date

46.5m

1.3m

24,544

 7,2555

Notes:

1. Further payments currently issuing in respect of Year 2.

2. 2016 was the first full year of GLAS. As some GLAS contracts commenced on 01/10/2015 partial payments totalling €11.452m were paid in the 2015 calendar year.

3. Number of participants fluctuates due to participants withdrawing, rejections due to non-compliance and successful appeals. GLAS 3 contracts commenced on 01/01/2017. Active participant figures above as at year end.

4. Expressions of interest are being invited at the moment and this number will increase during the first half of 2019 to between 1,100 and 1,200 participants.

5. The number of active participants in BDGP I and II fluctuates on an ongoing basis as a result of participants withdrawing, or being disqualified for non – compliances, from the Programmes and also due to participants being re-admitted following successful appeals.

In 2015, 29,903 participants applied to participate in BDGP I, however 6, 858 of these have either withdrawn or have been disqualified with 23,045 eligible participants remaining in BDGP I .

In 2017 for BDGP II 1,896 participants applied to participate in BDGP II however 397 subsequently withdrew or were disqualified with 1,499 eligible participants remaining in BDGP II. The total number of active eligible participants in the two programmes currently stands at 24,544.

GLAS Data

Ceisteanna (157)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

157. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 that have received the 85% advance payment of the 2018 payment by county, in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 85% portion of the 2018 payment; the number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive this portion of payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8930/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are currently 48,897 active participants in the GLAS scheme. To date, 46,435 farmers have received their 2018 advance payment and are fully up to date with their payments. In addition, GLAS Plus payments have also been paid to 3,194 GLAS farmers. Including GLAS Plus this amounts to over €167m paid in 2018 advances since November 14th.

The majority of outstanding 2018 payments are being delayed due to issues, such as the non-submission of Commonage Management Plans, where the mandatory GLAS training has not been completed, Low Emission Slurry Spreading and Rare Breeds forms not returned or cases where the GLAS participant has omitted to update the Department on issues crucial to the payment process.

My Department is working closely with GLAS farmers and their advisors to ensure that payments issue to compliant farmers as quickly as possible. 

GLAS payments will continue to issue on a weekly basis. The breakdown of advance 2018 payments to date by county is listed in the following table for GLAS1, 2 and 3:

County

Cases

Advance

Advance Amt

Cases

Carlow

269

264

€982,591.65

123

Cavan

898

884

€3,207,401.08

424

Clare

1,594

1,555

€5,573,668.41

683

Cork

2,105

1,974

€6,755,091.47

982

Donegal

1,912

1,777

€5,859,328.61

983

Dublin

56

51

€185,184.87

17

Galway

3,022

2,854

€10,197,467.81

1,268

Kerry

1,750

1,605

€5,652,913.85

862

Kildare

238

215

€802,239.03

75

Kilkenny

421

395

€1,432,153.38

204

Laois

365

344

€1,230,676.72

189

Leitrim

1,011

974

€3,503,319.39

416

Limerick

1,035

989

€3,535,649.14

293

Longford

508

486

€1,751,990.41

336

Louth

144

138

€495,431.61

77

Mayo

2,522

2,380

€8,354,056.16

1,307

Meath

416

398

€1,431,339.51

195

Monaghan

570

554

€1,808,747.81

142

Offaly

470

455

€1,611,042.90

272

Roscommon

1,506

1,460

€5,302,000.84

541

Sligo

926

888

€3,111,332.26

356

Tipperary

1,106

1,064

€3,893,293.20

489

Waterford

349

317

€1,130,881.44

123

Westmeath

635

614

€2,230,936.06

257

Wexford

741

711

€2,647,062.48

255

Wicklow

322

301

€1,141,184.20

150

TOTAL

24,891

23,647

€83,826,984.29

11,019

County

Advance

Advance Amt

Cases

Advance

Advance Amt

Carlow

116

€411,607.49

124

116

€425,044.77

Cavan

413

€1,478,054.45

526

512

€1,808,359.81

Clare

662

€2,413,141.77

785

754

€2,654,567.19

Cork

936

€3,295,306.80

918

856

€2,890,698.53

Donegal

896

€2,895,694.89

1,391

1,303

€4,005,050.03

Dublin

16

€59,614.84

17

16

€53,986.19

Galway

1,183

€4,059,064.20

1,567

1,464

€5,052,621.19

Kerry

799

€2,872,164.73

752

689

€2,387,397.68

Kildare

68

€237,437.44

111

102

€379,855.75

Kilkenny

189

€701,375.44

184

169

€631,823.62

Laois

178

€626,098.39

227

216

€783,300.62

Leitrim

411

€1,487,845.95

520

508

€1,771,430.69

Limerick

283

€1,008,364.44

395

380

€1,345,046.59

Longford

321

€1,174,795.47

326

309

€1,120,951.90

Louth

74

€259,364.03

91

82

€288,950.81

Mayo

1,238

€4,181,613.81

1,639

1,566

€5,231,056.30

Meath

183

€660,673.98

243

230

€820,149.53

Monaghan

141

€480,310.15

330

317

€1,071,962.04

Offaly

269

€1,015,590.34

283

272

€1,014,873.34

Roscommon

528

€1,885,197.41

704

683

€2,420,760.97

Sligo

346

€1,179,460.35

483

470

€1,654,141.48

Tipperary

470

€1,715,050.52

484

467

€1,728,907.59

Waterford

114

€409,833.89

116

110

€394,890.47

Westmeath

252

€926,939.34

272

263

€968,764.12

Wexford

239

€889,781.80

304

285

€1,083,728.13

Wicklow

138

€538,162.38

195

186

€703,017.87

TOTAL

10,463

€36,862,544.30

12,987

12,325

€42,691,337.21

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (158)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

158. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in a former scheme (details supplied); and the moneys expended on the scheme. [8931/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In December 2008, my Department announced details of a capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of agricultural products, with the aim of improving competitiveness, value-added and the quality of agricultural products through grant aiding processing facilities, storage, handling and marketing facilities in 'near farm' enterprises.

€16.7m was allocated by my Department to the scheme. 66 applications were approved, comprising 31 meat projects, 22 mart projects and 13 horticulture projects.

39 projects across the three sectors were successfully completed and €6.5m was paid in grant aid. In the small meat sector, 18 completed projects were paid a total of €3.5m, with 14 completed mart projects grant aided to a total of €1.6m. The remainder related to the horticulture sector.

The economic downturn in Ireland, at that time, played a role in the reduction in the uptake of the capital investment scheme, with 27 applicants unable to proceed with the investments. With their agreement, their approvals were ultimately revoked.

Grant aid in the livestock marts sector was aimed at supporting a positive impact on the environment by providing marts with adequate slurry storage and treatment facilities while the projects in the small meat sector included grant aid to small slaughterhouses and low throughput enterprises to aid improvement in efficiency and to enable the production of new and innovative quality products to assist food business operators to develop new markets.

Food Exports

Ceisteanna (159)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

159. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of butter exports to each applicable country in 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8932/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2018, Ireland exported dairy products, including butter to 131 countries totalling over €4.5 billion worth of produce. Total butter exports for 2018 total in excess of €1 billion, an increase of over 16% compared to 2017, representing high-quality value-added produce.

The following table, based on CSO data, outlines details in respect of values and tonnage by country for butter exports.

Where anomalies are identified in the statistical data, the Department will liaise with the Central Statistics Office to highlight and amend the information as required.

Exports of butter from Ireland

Country destination

€000 (2017)

Tonnes (2017)

€000 (2018)

Tonnes (2018)

GRAND TOTAL

934,529

218,711

1,088,721

218,711

Algeria

1,898

421

881

180

Angola

495

105

213

36

Australia

2,318

371

1,830

309

Austria

3,158

727

76

21

Bahamas

1,439

265

1,834

259

Bahrain

139

30

2,436

500

Barbados

194

36

233

35

Belgium

110,804

18,451

107,720

18,274

Bermuda

134

23

223

32

Canada

1,715

400

Cayman Islands

207

36

250

36

Chile

1,177

260

774

138

China (incl Hong Kong)

925

215

1,468

293

Congo

223

41

Congo (Dem Rep)

378

65

500

93

Cyprus

929

136

1,506

192

Czech Republic

427

89

91

22

Denmark

2,491

572

3,658

705

Egypt

2,285

501

430

95

France

72,431

16,058

71,726

14,403

Georgia

92

22

191

44

Germany

124,934

34,154

146,980

33,632

Gibraltar

98

17

111

16

Greece

115

18

106

14

Guatemala

157

43

77

18

Honduras

771

196

Indonesia

240

61

Iran

10,181

2,207

487

100

Israel

438

95

262

60

Italy

720

170

Ivory Coast

58

10

Jamaica

76

15

179

26

Japan

2

0

12

2

Jordan

165

38

62

9

Kuwait

188

41

178

42

Lithuania

41

8

22

4

Malaysia

157

27

257

36

Malta

1,368

219

892

114

Mauritius

227

36

330

47

Morocco

1,726

386

7,905

1,811

Netherlands

184,762

45,832

283,283

64,330

New Caledonia

207

40

Nigeria

37

9

Oman

214

50

Pakistan

36

8

34

5

Philippines

96

13

Poland

1,907

428

4,437

966

Portugal

111

19

165

22

Qatar

52

11

198

37

Romania

46

10

26

5

Saudi Arabia

5,587

1,325

671

140

Senegal

427

81

467

82

Seychelles

382

59

334

46

Singapore

207

33

325

47

Slovakia

187

44

South Africa

9,735

1,888

6,739

1,363

South Korea

213

20

Spain

5,479

1,036

5,107

905

Sri Lanka

70

9

Taiwan

274

50

369

75

Tanzania United Rep

396

60

Trinidad & Tabago

753

149

1,435

212

Tunisia

299

45

221

44

Turkey

12,540

2,925

4,793

1,176

United Arab Emirates

1,040

230

1,209

233

United Kingdom

236,491

49,031

231,818

45,741

United States

84,849

18,777

156,796

23,228

Yemen

209

50

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (160)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

160. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high-speed broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8849/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Premises in the housing estate referenced by the Deputy fall into both the AMBER and LIGHT BLUE areas of my Department's High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie.

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process.

- The LIGHT BLUE areas are where eir is in the process of deploying high speed broadband to 300,000 premises on a commercial basis.

For those premises in the AMBER areas, the procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage.  I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.

Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. According to the latest data submitted by eir to my Department the company has passed approximately 225,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. This information will be available on my Department’s website shortly.  Information on eir's rural deployment is available on that company’s website, http://fibrerollout.ie/Eircode-lookup/.

With regard to premises in the housing estate which are in the LIGHT BLUE area, I note that certain premises in the surrounding area have been recorded by eir as passed, meaning high speed broadband is available.  However, a number of premises in the estate itself are not yet indicated as having been passed.

Officials in my Department will raise a query with eir in order to seek further information and will revert to the Deputy.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (161, 162, 164)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

161. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high-speed broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8850/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

162. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high-speed broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8851/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

164. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high-speed broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8853/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 162 and 164 together.

In April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National NBP. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/Eircode:

- The AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high Speed Broadband through a State Intervention.

- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

The following table details the percentage of premises to be covered by the State Intervention and through commercial investment in the areas identified by the Deputy.

Townland

Premises within the NBP Intervention Area (AMBER)

Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area (BLUE)

Premises within eir planned rural deployment (LIGHT BLUE)

Abbeyland (Alexandra Bridge)

0

100% (332)

0

Loughlinstown (Loughlinstown Road)

34 (62%)

21 (38%)

0

Rathmore

21 (43%)

28 (57%)

0

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage.  I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.

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. 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.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (163)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

163. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of high-speed broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8852/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE areas are where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.

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. 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.

Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 161.
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