Written Answers Nos. 83-97
83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he foresees the availability of sufficient resources to ensure adequate investment and activity in the manufacturing and services sectors; the extent to which investment has fluctuated in each in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30875/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland is working with manufacturing and internationally traded services companies throughout the country to build scale, innovate and expand reach. These are key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the agency’s overall engagement with client companies, the agency is working intensively with companies to support them stabilise their business, thereby enabling them to undertake a development programme focused on recovery and growth. In addition, the agency is actively working with client company to ensure they are prepared for a "no-deal" Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland also provides support to start-up companies to assist with business planning, mentoring and development advice. The agency also provides feasibility funding and finance, often in the form of equity investment, as appropriate to the founder’s ambitions and the company’s potential and stage of growth.
Access to appropriate forms of external equity finance is also vital for the development of indigenous enterprises. As part of the July Stimulus package, I announced an increase of €10 million in funding for the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme, which supports venture capital funds to invest in early-stage innovative Irish companies. The €10 million funding is in addition to the €175 million, that my Department has made available, through Enterprise Ireland, through the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme (2019 – 2024). The additional €10 million provides a new tranche of funding for Irish venture capital funds to invest in their portfolio of companies who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and where significant unforeseen additional investment is required. Enterprise Ireland’s direct equity investments in start-ups in 2019 resulted in 226 new investments in 197 companies totalling €26.14 million. Enterprise Ireland’s investment in private equity funds in 2019 was €46.7 million.
As part of Budget 2021 I am allocating €45 million to Enterprise Ireland to continue funding a number of initiatives including:
- €15 million for the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.
- €15 million to support the Get Ready for Customs Initiative.
- €10 million to provide supports under the Sustaining Enterprise Fund.
- An additional €5 million in funding for the Online Retail Scheme.
My Department will be providing funding to support advanced manufacturing, food industry transformation, investment in seed & venture capital, commercialisation and digital hubs. The further investment in the food processing industry transformation will strengthen and improve the resilience of primary food processing companies, through supporting long term transformative capital investment projects, and achieving higher value add by implementing new product and/or market diversification strategies.
Significant investments have also been made in the unique strengths of each region in the drive to maximise employment and value add to the Irish economy. That is why the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) is important. Through Enterprise Ireland, we invest in projects with the greatest potential to create brand new jobs, to support existing jobs and strengthen the individual region’s economy. It will strengthen each region’s capacity to innovate in ways that help our homegrown companies develop into globally competitive successes.
The capital investment increase in Budget 2021 of €12.4 million for the RDI programme in Enterprise Ireland will provide for the implementation of a number of impactful measures for 2021 including Increasing In-Company R&D funding available to companies through the R&D Fund, Exploring Innovation Grant and Agile Innovation Fund. This additional investment will provide SMEs and industry with access to critical, leading edge equipment and infrastructure through the Technology Gateways and Technology Centres under the Capital Equipment Programme.
Access to finance will continue to be a challenge for businesses and so €20 million of the €100 million Brexit fund will be for the Future Growth Loan Scheme and Microfinance Ireland to allow them to meet increasing demand for their products. The contingency fund will also allow for additional tranches of supports and investments to be provided to meet the needs of business as required due to COVID- 19 and the impacts of a "No Deal" Brexit .
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which industry and trade here have made sufficient and adequate provision to meet the challenges arising from Brexit and Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30877/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland came through the initial economic shock of COVID-19 with unparalleled levels of State intervention aimed at stabilising the economy and supporting businesses, employment and incomes. Over €24.5 billion had been made available in support measures as of September 2020, including the July Jobs Stimulus of over €7 billion.
The total budgetary package of over €17.75 billion announced in Budget 2021 is unprecedented in both size and scale in the history of the Irish State further demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting the country through both the worst global pandemic in a century as well as the growing probability of a hard Brexit.
There is a wide range of supports available to help businesses impacted by the Covid 19 crisis, and details of these and their uptake are available on my Department’s website at the following address: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Take-up-of-COVID-19-and-Brexit-Business-Supports.html. Most recently, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) has been introduced to help businesses who are severely restricted to meet ongoing costs through periods of restriction and provide employment as restrictions are eased and activity resumes.
Ireland's overall export performance over the last 10 years has been marked by year-on-year growth with total exports of goods and services reaching further record levels of €373.9bn in 2019. This strong performance continues to make a significant contribution to our economic growth. Indeed, despite the challenges posed for our economy by COVID-19, trade figures released by the CSO last month show that goods exports over the period January to July 2020 have increased by 6% compared to the same period in 2019.
The Irish exporting landscape remains strong, therefore, and companies in Ireland have been succeeding in winning business worldwide for their products and services. While the UK is, and will remain, a major market for Irish companies, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority. In that context, Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to support Irish exporters to be more innovative, competitive and market diversified.
IDA Ireland continues to emphasise the core elements of Ireland’s value proposition for foreign direct investment and the agency will continue to work closely with international clients, from a range of sectors, to attract job-rich investment from overseas firms.
€1.8 billion additional funding has been allocated in Budget 2021 to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2021 to support implementation of the necessary controls for agri-food exports to, and imports from, Britain after the end of the Brexit transition period this year.
The National Economic Plan, to be published in November, will look to the future setting the vision and roadmap to 2025 and the longer-term policy approaches to ensure that our economy will be resilient into the future.
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to encourage new, indigenous and foreign direct investment in all regions here, thereby addressing particular economic issues that may arise or have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30878/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I can assure the Deputy that I have a strong focus on balanced regional development, attracting and sustaining inward investment and protecting the viability of businesses and SMEs throughout the country.
My Department, and our agencies, assists enterprises of all types and sizes in Ireland, including through the ongoing work of Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and IDA Ireland. For indigenous enterprise, this includes access to finance, management development, mentoring supports, business development programmes, market supports and trade promotion.
In addition to the regional focus of the enterprise agencies and the network of Local Enterprise Offices, nine Regional Enterprise Plans for the period to 2020, developed by regional stakeholders and overseen by my Department, were launched in early 2019 and are currently being implemented.
There is no doubt that Brexit presents challenges to our efforts to support regional development and we have placed a significant focus in Budget 2021 on ensuring that our regions are as prepared as we can be to meet future challenges. In preparing for Brexit, the Government has introduced a range of measures to assist businesses and SMEs which include Brexit checklists and advisory tools, direct grants and funding supports. For example, Enterprise Ireland are running an on-line Customs Insight course and will also launch a new Brexit Readiness Checker, while the new €2 billion Credit Guarantee Scheme is the largest guarantee scheme that has ever been provided for Irish businesses. These measures ensure there is financial assistance and advice available for Irish businesses as they reboot and rebuild both through COVID-19 and Brexit.
The Regional Enterprise Development Fund is funding 68 projects across all regions to a value of €100m and the Border Enterprise Development Fund, is funding 11 projects in the Border region to a value of €17m. In addition, 12 projects to a value of €4.6 million have been approved under the Regional Technology Clustering Fund. These projects will support regions throughout Ireland to build enterprise capability and capacity in a post-Brexit environment.
The Deputy will also be aware of the increase of €254m for my Department announced in the Budget. Together with the July Stimulus that provided a radical and far-reaching package of supports, we will continue to repair the damage that has been done and restore confidence and growth in the SME sector.
I convened the first meeting of the SME Task Force in September to discuss the needs of SMEs of medium-term growth and resilience, with Ministers English and Troy. We will soon be developing an SME Growth Plan to make our SMEs more productive, resilient and agile over the longer term, which will have regard to regional development priorities. This will form part of the National Economic Plan in November.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with my colleagues across Government and with stakeholders to examine all appropriate business supports to assist our regions to remain competitive and attractive for investment by indigenous businesses and leading corporates from around the world.
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the job creation in both the services and manufacturing sectors here in the past five years, respectively; his views on that which the future holds for these prospects over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30881/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows total employment by broad sector in agency client (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta) companies over the period 2015-2019.
|
Sector |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Manufacturing |
222,036 |
229,893 |
239,855 |
252,339 |
258,184 |
|
Services |
166,269 |
179,282 |
192,344 |
204,405 |
217,321 |
|
Grand Total |
388,305 |
409,175 |
432,199 |
456,744 |
475,505 |
Over the five year period 2015-2019 employment in manufacturing grew by 16.3%, while employment in services grew by 30.7%. This continues a long-run trend, mirrored internationally, of a shift towards services. However, manufacturing is still the major component of agency client employment at 54.3%.
While COVID and Brexit represent significant challenges, we expect agency clients to return to employment growth in manufacturing and services over the next five years.
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department have evaluated increased costs to industry here that might impact on job creation in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30882/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Competitiveness Council (NCC), an independent advisory body under the aegis of my Department, plays a key role in ensuring that the Government has an independent voice raising important competitiveness and productivity issues including industry costs.
The Council produces an annual Competitiveness Scorecard report that benchmarks Ireland against a range of other countries across a number of metrics. This includes two elements that are crucial to competitiveness – costs and productivity.
The Council’s Ireland’s Competitiveness Scorecard 2020, published on 27 May, was drafted using the pre-COVID data. The key takeaway from the report in relation to the overall cost base in Ireland was that it was higher relative to other EU countries. In 2018, Irish prices were approximately 13% higher than the EU average. However, this higher price level was compensated for because of Ireland’s high overall levels of productivity.
As a small open economy, maintaining the balance between the cost base and productivity is crucial for our competitiveness and the economy’s ability to create jobs. Addressing productivity and costs remains a key priority for this Government and will be addressed in the forthcoming National Economic Plan.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the extent to which women continue to head up new enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30883/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are working continuously to address the under-representation of women across the enterprise sector. Increasing female participation in entrepreneurial activity acts an important driver of economic growth, it increases the diversity and strength of our indigenous business sector and can strengthen social inclusion.
Enterprise Ireland, which is under the remit of my Department, has placed a focus on increasing the number of women-led start-ups and the number of women in leadership positions in companies. To support this, in early 2020, Enterprise Ireland launched an Action Plan for Women in Business with the objective of:
- Increasing the number of women-led established companies growing internationally;
- Increasing the number of women in middle and senior management and leadership roles in Irish companies;
- Increasing the number of women becoming entrepreneurs; and
- Increasing the number of women-led start-ups with high growth potential.
The 2025 ambition for the delivery of the objectives is to achieve:
- 100 per cent increase the number of women-led companies growing internationally;
- 100 per cent increase in participation rate of women on Enterprise Ireland Management Development programmes;
- 50 per cent increase in women participants on start-up programmes;
- 50 per cent increase in Local Enterprise Office supports to women in business; and
- 30 per cent Increase the proportion of female founded High Potential Start-Ups.
The launch of this action plan by Enterprise Ireland builds on the success of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for female entrepreneurship which has resulted in an increase in the number of female High Potential Start-Up founders. Work is now commencing to implement the Action Plan for Women in Business.
Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Office Network have also actively spotlighted and developed specific structures to encourage female entrepreneurship. This includes the introduction of a female only Competitive Start Up Fund in Enterprise Ireland, and established female specific tailored mentoring and training across the 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
Enterprise Ireland has also developed a series of female accelerator programmes in partnership with knowledge providers such as Going for Growth and the NDRC Female Founders Programme.
Role modelling is essential to encouraging more women to establish a business. My Department has worked intensively to shine a light of female entrepreneurship through identification and promotion of female role models with targeted events and awards, including Network Ireland’s - Business Networking for Women Across Ireland and the Planet Woman Academy.
The recently established SME Taskforce will bring forward a national SME Growth Plan next month. The SME Growth Plan will set out a long-term strategic framework for SME and entrepreneurship policy in Ireland. This will be an opportunity to examine measures to increase the number of new entrepreneurs starting businesses, including women and other under-represented groups. I will receive those proposals in the coming weeks.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new enterprises in manufacturing and services sectors in which a woman is chief executive; the extent to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30884/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) collects primary data on entrepreneurship across countries including Ireland.
In the 2019 GEM report 'Entrepreneurship in Ireland 2019', new business owners are defined as those who have started a new business between January 2016 and June 2019 and have paid salaries for at least three months. These entrepreneurs at least part own and continue to manage the new business. Over this period there were approximately 127,100 new business owners in Ireland. Approximately 68% (or 86,400) were male and 32% (or 40,700) were female. In 2018, these proportions were 61% male and 39% female.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report for Ireland is available at the following link:
https://www.gemireland.com/
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent of job creation arising from indigenous investment and foreign direct investment in County Kildare in the past five years; the prospects for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30885/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting balanced regional development is a core goal of Enterprise Ireland. In 2019, EI client companies reported a record high of 221,895 people in employment. 16, 971 new jobs were created, presenting a net gain of 4,706 new jobs when losses are taken into account. 65 per cent of this employment is located outside of Dublin. In 2019, 9,301 people were employed in the 194 Enterprise Ireland supported firms in Co. Kildare.
In the period 2015-2019, Enterprise Ireland paid €22.4 million to manufacturing and internationally traded services clients in Co. Kildare to build scale, innovate and expand reach. These are key attributes required to be resilient to economic shocks. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the agency’s overall engagement with client companies, the agency is working with companies in Co. Kildare to support them stabilise their business, thereby enabling them to undertake a development programme focused on recovery and growth. In addition, the agency is actively working with client companies to ensure they are prepared for a no deal Brexit. The following two Tables illustrate the numbers employed in EI client companies in County Kildare and grant payments to EI client companies.
Numbers employed in Enterprise Ireland client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
Co. Kildare |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No. of client companies |
174 |
182 |
192 |
194 |
194 |
|
Total Jobs (PFT & Other) |
8,308 |
8,632 |
9,134 |
8,931 |
9,301 |
Permanent Full Time (PFT)
Enterprise Ireland grant payments to client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Kildare |
€2,934,152 |
€5,618,547 |
€3,629,835 |
€4,215,790 |
€6,025,875.80 |
The short-term prospects for job creation are challenging as businesses in Kildare battle the twin crises of COVID-19 and Brexit. However, with the support of the Local Enterprise Office in Kildare, financial grants were approved of €3.9 million, 7,400 participants in training and almost 2,000 participants were mentored. These supports are helping to make these companies become more competitive, resilient and export oriented in facing the dual challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
The Numbers employed in Local Enterprise Office client companies based in Co. Kildare and grant payments are illustrated in the next two Tables:
|
Co. Kildare |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No. of client companies |
127 |
152 |
171 |
199 |
212 |
|
Total Jobs (PFT & Other) |
770 |
881 |
967 |
1,239 |
1,195 |
Permanent Full Time (PFT)
Local Enterprise Office grant payments to client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Kildare |
€597,053 |
€711,837 |
€934,625 |
€861,837 |
€764,358 |
Co. Kildare also has a very strong contingent of overseas firms in the Technology, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors. There are 30 IDA Ireland supported client companies in Co. Kildare, which collectively employ 8,872 people.
Ireland is Intel’s centre of manufacturing excellence in Europe. Since 1989, the company has invested $15 billion in Ireland, turning 360 acres of the Collinstown Industrial Park (Leixlip) into one of the most advanced industrial campuses in Europe. Over three decades, Intel, which employs in the region of 5,000 people across Ireland, has developed a broad range of activities, from advanced manufacturing to cutting edge R&D.
The above along with other IDA Ireland client companies such Pfizer, SGS, International Fund Services and KDP demonstrates a strong track record of investment, which along with IDA Ireland land available for marketing for property solutions, reflects significant potential for Kildare and the wider Mid-East Region.
The IDA has a number of incentives in place to encourage companies to invest in Co. Kildare. In addition to the general support that it provides to client firms through advice and expertise on investing in Ireland, the Agency is authorised by my Department to provide a range of particular financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants.
These grants represent an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly to regional locations. From 2015 to 2019, IDA Ireland paid over €13.5 million in grants to client companies based in Co. Kildare with over €2 million paid out in 2019 alone.
The following two Tables illustrate the numbers employed in IDA Ireland client companies based in Co. Kildare and the grant payments made:
Numbers employed in IDA Ireland client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
Co. Kildare |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
No. of IDA client companies |
23 |
26 |
29 |
31 |
30 |
|
Total Jobs (PFT & Other) |
10,186 |
9,821 |
8,506 |
8,901 |
8,872 |
Permanent Full Time (PFT)
IDA Ireland grant payments to client companies based in Co. Kildare
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Kildare |
€5,798,570 |
€3,573,544 |
€2,096,053 |
€66,865 |
€2,004,030 |
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people employed in the manufacturing and servicing sectors in County Kildare, respectively; the degree to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30886/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows employment by broad sector in County Kildare in agency client (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta) companies over the period 2015-2019.
Table 1: Kildare, Agency Client Employment by Broad Sector, 2015-2019
|
Sector |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Manufacturing |
14,010 |
13,942 |
13,623 |
13,667 |
13,918 |
|
Services |
4,434 |
4,475 |
3,914 |
4,294 |
4,255 |
|
Grand Total |
18,444 |
18,417 |
17,537 |
17,961 |
18,173 |
Over the five year period 2015-2019 employment in manufacturing in Kildare decreased by 0.7%, while employment in services grew by 4.0%. This continues a long-run trend, mirrored internationally, of a shift towards services. However, manufacturing is still the major component of agency client employment in Kildare at 76.6%.
94. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of IDA-sponsored investment in western areas of County Meath in the period 2015 to 2019, inclusive, on a yearly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30891/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCounty Meath continues to be a strong performer in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) with 250 net new jobs added by IDA client companies in 2019.
In addition to the general support that IDA provides to client firms through advice and expertise on investing in Ireland, the Agency is authorised by my Department to provide a range of particular financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. These grants represent an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly to regional locations. Since 2015, IDA Ireland has paid out almost €0.5m in grants to client companies based in County Meath.
Meath has witnessed some significant announcements from multinationals from 2015 to 2019. In 2016, Shire announced plans to create 400 jobs as part of a $400m investment in a new biologics plant in Dunboyne. This plant was subsequently renamed Takeda Biologics and was acquired by MSD earlier this year.
In April 2018, PCI Pharma Services (PCI) announced the creation of 50 additional roles at its facility in Stamullen. In the same year, Facebook opened a new centre in Clonee which now employs over 300 people. In March 2019, Facebook announced that it is expanding its Clonee Data Centre. The company will add two new buildings which will bring the total facility to nearly 150,000 square metres.
In other parts of County Meath, the IDA continues to draw the attention of investors looking to locate or expand through its network of offices in Ireland and overseas. Last year, the IDA's Property Division met with the owners of the former NEC site in Ballivor to view the property as a potential location for foreign direct investment (FDI). The facility is included in an IDA Ireland database of marketable properties and it is being actively marketed by the Agency to prospective investors looking to invest in County Meath.
We have made progress in creating new economic opportunities in County Meath but we are determined to achieve more. That is why we will continue to focus on regional development and to explore how we can create new jobs and investment opportunities for the people of Meath and the wider region.
IDA Ireland collects investment and job creation data on a county by county basis only. The table below outlines the amount of grants paid by IDA Ireland to client companies based in County Meath from 2015 to 2019.
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
|
Meath |
€300,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€182,259 |
€0 |
€482,259 |
95. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a waste waiver for persons and families with disabilities. [30649/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question 154 of 22nd September 2020. The position is unchanged.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which high-speed broadband will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30716/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER 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 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). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract.
The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 13 October, design work is complete or on-going in target townlands across 24 counties and steady progress is being made with over 103,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year. In County Kildare, surveys have been completed in areas including Naas, Johnstown and Kill.
This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year in Cork. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 13 October 2020, some 164 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 56 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
BCPs locations due for installation in Kildare include Backgate Lodge, Kilkee Demesne, Castledermot and Crookstown Further Education and Training Centre. BCPs installed and waiting connectivity include Lullymore Heritage Park and Bigstone Community Hall. In addition some schools will be provided with high speed broadband through the BCP Programme, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. A number of schools in Kildare including Saint David’s National School and Rathmore National School will be connected to high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible. The Covid 19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout 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.
Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to a person (details supplied) whose Internet provider is providing an inadequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30753/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER 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 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). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract.
The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 13 October, design work is complete or on-going in target townlands across 24 counties and steady progress is being made with over 103,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year.
This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).
In Cork, surveys have been completed in the areas of Carrigaline and Midleton. NBI crews have started initial works for the build of the fibre network in the Carrigaline area, including Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfolye, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, and Kilpatrick. Laying of fibre should start shortly with the first fibre to home connection expected around December in Carrigaline.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 164 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 56 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year., including 74 schools. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
BCPs connected in County Cork include community centres at Whitechurch, Aghabullogue, Ballindangan, Castletownkenneigh and Lissvard with other locations at Aubanem, Courtbrack, Mealagh Valley, Glash and Sherkin and Bere Islands to be connected with high speed broadband in the coming months.
In addition some school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. As of 13 October 2020, NBI have installed equipment in 43 schools which will be connected with WIFI by retail service providers in the coming months. A number of schools including Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be connected to high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
I understand that there can be instances where premises remain unconnected, although close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network. Eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators as to where they build infrastructure and provide services. Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
