Holly Cairns
Ceist:619. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a support scheme will be provided for fishers similar to the support scheme for beef finishing farms. [12652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFishing Communities
Ceisteanna (619)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very conscious of the disruptions to international seafood markets arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic and the impacts on our export markets and prices for our seafood. There are, of course, similar impacts across the food sector and indeed the wider economy. With the gradual re-opening of economies in Europe and Asia, there are already positive signs of improved market conditions and I anticipate that this improvement will continue in the coming weeks and months.
In response to intense lobbying from Member States and industry, the European Union amended the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation to make certain types of supports specifically relating to the impacts of Covid-19 eligible for EMFF aid under Member State's EMFF Operational Programmes, together with the existing array of supports for capital investment, innovation, marketing, and professional advisory services. However, no additional EU funds were made available to Member States to assist in implementing these new measures, so our capacity to use these measures is subject to the level of uncommitted funds remaining in Ireland’s EMFF Programme, and to the availability of uncommitted funds in BIM’s 2020 budget. It is important to note that BIM continues to pay out on grants previously awarded and seafood enterprises continue to apply for new EMFF grants, including some that cite Covid-19 as the reason for their proposed projects.
One of the measures made available by the EU in response to the Pandemic is aid for temporary tie-up of fishing vessels and, in my meetings with fishing representatives, selective tie-up aid was the overwhelming request for support in order to reduce the amount of fish being brought to market to match supply with demand and support prices. In response to those requests, I announced a Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme on 8 May with three one-month tie up periods to commence on 1 June and end on 31 August. The Tie-up Scheme is a safety net scheme designed to complement the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Benefit and Wage Subsidy Scheme that are available to fishermen to support their incomes where is it not viable for them to fish. The Tie-up Scheme provides a payment to participating fishermen to cover the fixed costs of fishing vessels choosing to tie-up. So far there is a steady level of applications under the Scheme, particularly from the smaller inshore vessels.
I will be reviewing the Scheme at the end of June to ensure it is achieving its objectives and that market conditions continue to warrant its operation.
Trading Online Voucher Scheme
Ceisteanna (620, 621, 624, 638)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:620. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of the distribution by local enterprise office, LEO, of the way in which the additional online trading voucher funding was distributed: if his attention has been drawn to the fact the additional funding does not meet the demand in some LEOs; his plans to bolster the fund for 2021 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11711/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is sufficient funding to pay out grants to applicants to each local enterprise office for trading online vouchers, including future applications up to the advertised deadline of September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11736/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:624. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the trading online voucher scheme; if the scheme has been oversubscribed; the number of applications received and approved to date in 2020, by month and local authority area; the value of approvals made by local authority area; the number of applications received for a second voucher; the number approved; the value of such approvals made by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12550/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:638. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of trading online vouchers that have been issued since the scheme commenced; and the reason the scheme is currently suspended for new applications despite the scheme being open for applications until 30 September 2020.. [12080/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 621, 624 and 638 together.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is managed by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.
The Scheme was launched nationally in mid-2014. By end 2019, some 6,400 small and micro businesses had completed, or were in the process of completing their trading online projects. In addition, 19,000 or so business owners-managers had benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information seminars delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices under the Scheme.
On 8 April, in response to Covid-19, funding for the Scheme was increased from €2.3m to €5.6m, and new flexibilities were introduced including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one. Based on sample of Local Enterprise Offices, second vouchers account for 7.5% of approvals and applications.
On 8 June, in response to significant demand for the Scheme, further funding of €14.2m, including an allocation of €0.6m for Údarás na Gaeltachta, was announced bringing the total budget allocation in 2020 to €19.8m.
There has been continuing high demand for the Scheme since 8 June and my Department in liaison with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland will later this week allocate a further 800 vouchers to the Local Enterprise Offices, bringing the total allocation in 2020 to 8,000 vouchers or €19m.
The table below sets out the current position regarding allocations, approvals and applications and is informed by the most up to date information received by my Department from the individual Local Enterprise Offices.
|
Local Enterprise Office |
Allocation for 2020 as of 8 June |
Vouchers approved as of 12 June |
Value of vouchers approved as of 12 June |
Completed voucher applications not yet approved as of 12 June |
Draft or incomplete voucher applications on hand as of 12 June |
|
Carlow |
98 |
79 |
€178,069 |
79 |
5 |
|
Cavan |
73 |
43 |
€100,673 |
37 |
15 |
|
Clare |
170 |
92 |
€230,000 |
12 |
85 |
|
CORK City |
367 |
103 |
€251,500 |
134 |
197 |
|
CORK NW |
340 |
106 |
€246,558 |
63 |
163 |
|
CORK South |
345 |
61 |
€167,829 |
112 |
193 |
|
Donegal |
255 |
93 |
€225,201 |
74 |
78 |
|
DUB City |
335 |
183 |
€442,732 |
343 |
0 |
|
DUB South |
540 |
85 |
€212,500 |
110 |
245 |
|
DLR (DUB) |
430 |
94 |
€221,641 |
107 |
8 |
|
Fingal (DUB) |
615 |
199 |
€514,451 |
103 |
171 |
|
Galway |
215 |
205 |
€486,847 |
73 |
35 |
|
Kerry |
354 |
51 |
€116,011 |
110 |
109 |
|
Kildare |
160 |
120 |
€278,605 |
63 |
9 |
|
Kilkenny |
279 |
88 |
€201,807 |
12 |
6 |
|
Laois |
70 |
39 |
€89,499 |
34 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
70 |
24 |
€57,549 |
18 |
42 |
|
Limerick |
290 |
79 |
€178,624 |
10 |
98 |
|
Longford |
75 |
34 |
€81,576 |
8 |
10 |
|
Louth |
235 |
60 |
€135,331 |
28 |
53 |
|
Mayo |
110 |
83 |
€189,981 |
20 |
17 |
|
Meath |
390 |
79 |
€179,885 |
98 |
145 |
|
Monaghan |
60 |
25 |
€58,539 |
10 |
20 |
|
Offaly |
80 |
37 |
€86,584 |
5 |
10 |
|
Roscommon |
67 |
67 |
€153,458 |
18 |
10 |
|
Sligo |
109 |
60 |
€136,894 |
21 |
9 |
|
Tipperary |
235 |
121 |
€272,918 |
21 |
57 |
|
Waterford |
148 |
110 |
€253,539 |
20 |
10 |
|
Westmeath |
150 |
76 |
€175,030 |
38 |
20 |
|
Wexford |
205 |
106 |
€238,133 |
98 |
38 |
|
Wicklow |
170 |
82 |
€199,600 |
102 |
11 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
160 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Total |
7,200 |
2,684 |
€6,361,561 |
1,981 |
1,869 |
Bord na Móna
Ceisteanna (622)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:622. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will furnish a reply to the issues raised regarding Bord na Móna further to a commitment on 20 May 2020 in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12184/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Management and Board of Bord na Móna have a responsibility to protect the short- and long-term viability of the company and chose to take action to mitigate against the impact of COVID-19. Due to the sheer scale of the financial impact on Bord na Móna, Bord na Móna decided that it was not possible to retain affected seasonal workers and so in line with long standing arrangements, the Company took the decision to release these seasonal workers in order to retain as many impacted permanent employees as possible. As these workers were out of employment due to the impact of COVID-19, those who met the eligibility criteria set out by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection availed of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Bord na Móna received expressions of interest for voluntary redundancy from employees across all of its peat operations in December 2019. However, the uncertainty surrounding the peat harvest in 2020 meant that the Company was not in a position to determine how many, if any, voluntary redundancies it could accommodate. Now that the Company has decided to suspend the peat harvest for 2020 and decided to progress its bog rehabilitation schemes it has begun the process of determining the profile of its workforce and, some limited voluntary redundancy applications are being accommodated, in specific areas of its operations.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (623)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:623. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to take to accelerate broadband roll-out to particularly poorly serviced areas such as rural counties Meath and Westmeath to facilitate the reopening and survival of SMEs and to enable working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12206/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in Counties Meath and Westmeath which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
- Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
- 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, including in Counties Meath and Westmeath, as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
|
County |
AMBER Premises within the NBP State Intervention Area |
BLUE Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
LIGHT BLUE Premises within eir's commercial rural deployment |
|
Meath |
22% (18,989) |
78% (67,609) |
<1% (396) |
|
Westmeath |
26%(11,631) |
74% (32,758) |
<1% (167) |
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout.
Further information on deployment activities associated with the rollout can be found on the NBI website http://www.nbi.ie.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
There are 9 BCPs planned at present for County Meath and 7 for County Westmeath. Proposed BCP locations including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map (www.broadband.gov.ie). The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
I have asked my Department to investigate with National Broadband Ireland the feasibility of accelerating the 7 year deployment plan, to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date.
Question No. 624 answered with Question No. 620.
Inland Fisheries
Ceisteanna (625)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:625. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a fishery (details supplied) remains closed in view of the fact others have reopened; when it will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12551/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 792 of 16 June which set out the position.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (626, 627, 637, 641)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:626. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11771/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Moynihan
Ceist:627. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11772/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:637. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the time frame for the roll-out of at least 30 Mbps broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the National Broadband Plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage will be prioritised during the roll out phase of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Robert Troy
Ceist:641. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if fibre broadband will be put in place for a road (details supplied). [12129/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 626, 627, 637 and 641 together.
The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in the country.
The Questions refer to premises which are located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
All counties will see premises passed in the first two years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
Work has already begun and up to date information on deployment activities is now available on NBI’s website www.nbi.ie. There is a dedicated email address reps@nbi.ie which may be used for any specific queries in relation to premises located in the AMBER area.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
Climate Action Plan
Ceisteanna (628)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:628. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projects supported by the Climate Action Fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11815/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Climate Action Fund (CAF) is one of the four major funds set up under Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan sets out an allocation of at least €500m for the CAF over the period to 2027.
To date three projects from the first round of funding have completed the project validation stage during which projects have to meet certain criteria including those relating to financial, environmental and legal requirements. These projects have now moved to delivery and a fourth project is expected to move to delivery shortly. A further three projects are continuing through the validation stage. The realisation of the majority of the leveraged investments will not occur before all of these projects are at more advanced stages of delivery.
The first project to move to delivery stage was ESB e-cars with the CAF committing up to €10 million in support. This project will install new, modern electric vehicle chargers across the country as well as upgrade the existing charging network. To date some 140 of the existing chargers have already been replaced with more modern and reliable charging points. The project has also installed more advanced, and future proofed, fast charger points. While certain work restrictions were in place due to Covid-19, work has now recommenced in upgrading units and rolling out new charging infrastructure across the country.
In February 2020 the validation stage process for the South Dublin County Council Tallaght District Heating Scheme (support of €4.47m) was approved and the project moved to the delivery phase. This project, the first of its kind in Ireland, will see waste heat from a Data Centre used to heat surrounding buildings, including Tallaght IT and other civic buildings. It is envisaged that this may become an exemplar for other Data Centres in Ireland.
A project from Irish Rail, piloting hybrid-drive railcars, has also recently proceeded to delivery.
The Department will continue to progress the validation process on the remaining 4 projects over the coming months.
In the first quarter of this year, my Department held a call for Expressions of Interest to inform the next round of funding under the CAF. A total of 191 submissions were received covering several sectors and with interest from communities nationwide, including the Midlands. At this stage of the process (i.e. expressions of interest) only outline details are available on potential projects. We would expect to see a greater level of detail for these projects when the next round opens for applications later in 2020, including the exact level of investment proposed, what environmental and economic benefits might accrue and what potential job creation prospects might be involved. It is my expectation that there will be significant interest from a range of sectors located across the country, including the midlands, in terms of seeking support from the fund when the next round of applications opens later this year.
I published the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill yesterday. This legislation will establish the Climate Action Fund on a statutory basis and repurpose surplus funds from the NORA levy, which is a levy on the use of fossil fuels, for use by the fund.
Departmental Policy Functions
Ceisteanna (629)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:629. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is fully committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Since January 2019 there have been a number of initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. These include;
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace E-Learning training was rolled out to all staff in 2020.
- An Unconscious Bias E-Learning module has issued to all staff.
- Human Resources staff attended Ireland's first National Diversity and Inclusion Conference hosted by the DCU Centre for Excellence for Diversity and The Irish Centre for Diversity in 2019.
- The Department also recently issued an internal Pride themed weekly staff newsletter in June 2020.
- There will be 2 Pride themed talks for staff this month.
- Consistent promotion of flexibility initiatives and continued provision of equal opportunities for promotion to all staff
The establishment of a staff led Diversity and Inclusion working group in Q3 this year is a key goal for the Department. This group will lead the creation of a number of employee networks and will work closely with the HR team in the Department to promote diversity and inclusion awareness.
Broadcasting Sector
Ceisteanna (630)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:630. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times section 146(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has been invoked (details supplied); the number of searches of premises that have taken place from 1 January 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Post acts as issuing agent for TV Licence fee collection in accordance with Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. All operational matters including inspections are dealt with by An Post.
An Post makes every effort to bring evaders into the licensed pool and a considerable amount of time and resources are spent in dealing specifically with this issue.
An Post concentrates its initial efforts in getting people to buy the licence when due and by following up with a series of reminder notices and inspector visits. All inspections are undertaken under section 146 (3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and inspectors only enter premises to verify that a TV set is not present with the permission of the occupant.
The number of inspections carried out since 2016 as advised by An Post are set out in the table under. Data prior to 2016 is not available due to changes in data recording systems.
TV Licence Inspections 2016-2019
|
Year |
No of Inspections |
|
2019 |
472,953 |
|
2018 |
406,748 |
|
2017 |
433,395 |
|
2016 |
363,196 |
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (631)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:631. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants available for a new business in the production of biomass pellets as an environmentally friendly alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11908/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not administer grants specifically in relation to business development. However, the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat, which is operated by SEAI, provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. Eligible renewable energy technologies are supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The National Development Plan sets out an allocation of €300 million for the roll-out of the scheme for the period up to 2027.
Energy Policy
Ceisteanna (632)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:632. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on an ongoing review of energy security. [11988/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
The review will include a full updated technical analysis of the security of supply challenges and a public consultation. The outcome of the review will inform future policy considerations.
I expect the formal procurement process for the technical analysis to commence in the coming weeks.
Just Transition Fund
Ceisteanna (633)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:633. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been made to date for the just transition fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11989/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team (MRTT) that over 150 projects were received via the MRTT - START engagement process in the first stage of the 2020 call for proposals for the Just Transition Fund. This stage closed on Friday, 12 June. Projects that have registered at the first stage may now proceed to submit an application for funding to my Department, subject to meeting eligibility requirements and terms and conditions for funding published by my Department on Friday, 19 June. Projects have until Friday, 17 July to submit proposals for funding.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (634)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:634. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11993/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
Ministerial Communications
Ceisteanna (635)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:635. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times he spoke to the chairperson and-or CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland between 16 March and 1 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12012/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Interaction between the Chair and Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and IFI's senior executive team, including the CEO, is generally with senior officials of my Department. In addition to regular meetings, contact between officials and the CEO and Senior management by telephone, e-mail and correspondence occurs on an almost daily basis. I am regularly briefed on significant issues which arise.
In terms of direct contact I recall that I had a telephone conversation with the CEO in late March and there was one exchange of correspondence with the Chair in early June.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (636)
Peter Burke
Ceist:636. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will direct National Broadband Ireland to prioritise a site in County Westmeath due to its cultural importance regarding broadband provision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12053/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland.
The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. Further details are available at the NBI website www.nbi.ie
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie.
The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020. I understand there are two proposed BCP sites in close proximity to the specific location of Uisneach, Co. Westmeath. Sites for BCPs have been proposed by local authorities to date and the site owner you reference may wish to engage with the Broadband Officer for Westmeath County Council in this regard.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
Question No. 637 answered with Question No. 626.
Question No. 638 answered with Question No. 620.
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Ceisteanna (639)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:639. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received communication from the Director General of RTÉ regarding the future of its digital radio stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12093/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that Ministerial consent shall be sought if RTÉ wishes to vary the number of television or sound broadcasting channels it operates. It also requires that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland be consulted as to the sectoral impact of such changes.
I have not, to date, received a proposal from RTÉ regarding the closure of digital stations.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (640)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:640. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a copy of all briefing documents provided to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party for the programme for Government negotiations will be provided. [12124/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Department of the Taoiseach will be arranging for the publication of material provided by Government Departments in accordance with agreed procedures, via the Department of the Taoiseach, to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, as part of Government formation negotiations.
Question No. 641 answered with Question No. 626.