Written Answers Nos. 271-288
271. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of times he has used his power under section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999; the area of policy direction that was given to the Commission each time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33413/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not used my powers under Section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for the regulation of electricity and gas markets. It is an independent statutory body, solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas.
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein they are commercial, liberalised, and competitive.
Section 10A of the Act, sets out the prescriptive procedure under which the Minister may give “general policy directions”. The process of Ministerial direction involves providing drafts of the direction to CRU, the Joint Oireachtas Committee and the Single Electricity Market (SEM) Committee, inviting them to provide views. The proposed Direction must include the reasons for the proposal.
A policy direction cannot be given where the SEM Committee has informed the Minister that it would materially affect, or would be likely to materially affect, the Single Electricity Market.
The Act precludes a policy direction in respect of a person who has applied for, or holds a licence, authorisation or consent, or a person to whom a licence, authorisation or consent may be granted by the Commission, or the performance of the functions of the Commission in relation to individual energy undertakings or persons.
The European regulatory regime further circumscribes the power to issue a policy direction to CRU. EU Member States must guarantee the independence of their energy regulators, which are expressly forbidden from taking direct instructions from a government, or any public body. The regime also restricts policy directions in the form of general policy guidelines in certain areas that are prescribed regulatory duties and powers in the EU Third Energy Package.
272. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place to improve broadband connections for those in the Dublin area who suffer from poor broadband connections, which hampers their ability to work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33663/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the areas in Dublin 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.
My Department's investigations have highlighted that Woodpark Estate is in the BLUE area and that for many of the premises there may be a choice of operators offering this service in this area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
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.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed broadband will be delivered to a person (details supplied); the timeline to implement same as part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33715/20]
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 27 October, design work is complete or on-going in target townlands across 25 counties and steady progress is being made with over 118,000 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. Surveys have commenced in areas around Johnstown, Kill and Naas.
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 www.nbi.ie.
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 23 October, some 179 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of theses are now connected with high speed broadband service through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites. In addition, 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. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband for educational access only. 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. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. A number of schools in Kildare including Saint David’s National School, Killashee, Naas and Rathmore National School, Rathmore West, Naas 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 focused 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.
274. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if fibre broadband will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33731/20]
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 27 October, design work is complete or on-going in target townlands across 25 counties and steady progress is being made with over 118,000 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 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/). In Donegal, surveys have commenced in the areas of Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin and Tommyscroft.
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 23 October, some 179 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 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. In addition, 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. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband for educational access only. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
BCPs connected in County Donegal include Ambarelann Gaoth Dobhair, Dunree Museum in Inishowen and Ray Athletic Club. Other locations including Rathmullan Tory Co-Op, Leghowney Community Centre, Cranford Coole Community Centre and Meenreagh Hostel have been installed by NBI and are awaiting connection. 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.
276. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of data protection breaches identified within his Department in 2019. [33843/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were five incidents involving data protection breaches in my Department in 2019.
All breaches were reported to and assessed by the Department’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) in accordance with guidance issued by the Data Protection Commission. In assessing the potential risk for each breach, the DPO takes into account the nature and cause of the breach, the type and volume of data exposed, the corrective steps taken and the likely impact on the individual(s) concerned.
In each of five cases referred to above, the DPO assessed the risk of the breach to be low which did not require notification to the Data Protection Commission.
277. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Communications Regulation in 2019 by the name of the company in respect of which the complaint was lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Communications Regulation in 2019 by the type of complaint lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.
Telecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling and means of contact. Service providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, one of which is by electronic means of contact such as an email address or an online complaint form, can be accessed at https://www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/.
Any operator failing to comply with any of these requirements is a matter to be pursued by ComReg. ComReg publish quarterly statistics in relation to issues raised by service providers customers and the latest report can be accessed at https://www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/consumer-publications/.
279. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in 2019 by the name of the company in respect of which the complaint was lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33903/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities was established as a statutorily independent regulator (as the Commission for Electricity Regulation) under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. This Act sets out that CRU "shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas". Therefore I, as Minister, do not have a statutory function in this matter.
However, I have asked CRU to contact the Deputy directly on this matter.
280. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in 2019 by the type of complaint lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities was established as a statutorily independent regulator (as the Commission for Electricity Regulation) under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. This Act sets out that CRU "shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas". Therefore I, as Minister, do not have a statutory function in this matter.
However, I have asked CRU to contact the Deputy directly on this matter.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he expects to rely on onshore and offshore wind-generated electricity over the next ten years; the extent to which he expects to meet overall targets in respect of alternative energy production throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33917/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government provides that a reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy is essential in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels. The Government is committed to the rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector and will take the necessary action to deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
The Climate Action Plan included a commitment to deliver at least 3.5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, up to 8.2 GW of onshore wind and up to 1.5 GW of solar; the Programme for Government commits to a further increase in offshore wind deployment to 5 GW by 2030.
Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan (Table 6 of the Plan) sets out estimated trajectories by renewable energy technology in order to achieve the overall and sectoral trajectories for renewable energy from 2021 to 2030. These technology levels are indicative and for electricity the level of each technology will be driven by technology costs and competitive auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) as well as major private sector funding through Corporate Power Purchase Agreements.
The results of the first RESS auction were approved by Government in September 2020, which consisted of 479MW of onshore wind energy projects and 796MW of solar energy projects.
282. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if access to the CIS will be provided to urban local authorities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. In the case of the four Dublin Councils, the arrangements in place since 2015 for the retention of Local Property Tax means that these Councils are required to largely self-fund their road programmes.
The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is based on community contributions within the range of 15% to 30% and the purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme.
Following the introduction of ring-fenced funding for CIS programme in 2018 it was decided to provide funding over a two year period 2018/2019 so as to give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme. Towards the end of 2019, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for CIS for another two year programme in the period 2020/2021. Further applications for CIS projects will not, therefore, be sought until sometime next year. Application of the scheme in urban and rural areas will be considered at that point taking into account all available resources.
283. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the person or body that made the decision preventing flights out of Ireland to EU states; whether it was a Government decision or whether such a decision is at the discretion of the airlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32617/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Government has not adopted any form of flight restrictions during the Covid crisis. The suspension of flights throughout this period can be due to the adoption of flight restrictions in other jurisdictions; and/or commercial decisions made by the respective air operators.
284. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to allowing Irish citizens to return home without restricting their movements for 14 days if they present a negative Covid-19 rapid airport test before boarding their flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32775/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to Covid-19 testing on arrival here from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) on aligning the travel policy here with that in the EU; the status of same; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32922/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the EU's traffic light travel advisory system as recommended by the ECDC; the way in which it will operate in Ireland from 8 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33617/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra377. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans for Covid-19 testing at ports and airports; and the timeframe to which he is working. [33916/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 284, 289, 323, 352 and 377 together.
The EU adopted a new coordinated approach to travel measures at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 October 2020. As set out in the Living with COVID-19 Framework, the Government broadly supported this effort to improve coordination within the Union and has made clear our intention to align with the new Recommendation.
Last week the Government made a decision on the approach to implementing the EU “traffic light” system of categorising countries according to controls over the Covid-19 virus that was adopted on 13 October.
Specifically the Government decided that persons arriving from green list locations can enter the State without the requirement to restrict movement or undergo testing for Covid-19. The default for persons arriving from orange or red locations should be to restrict movement for 14 days, with the exception of those exempted. The requirement on those arriving from orange locations to restrict movement could be dis-applied if they have negative test result of an appropriate pre-departure test carried out by an authorised entity (specific requirements to be confirmed). While the current requirement to restrict movement for 14 days following arrival from a red region remains until further notice, the Government agreed that as soon as practicable, passengers arriving from red regions should have the option to dis-apply the requirement to restrict movement following a negative result from an approved Covid-19 test taken five days after arrival. The same restrictions that apply for arrivals from red locations will apply for arrivals from grey locations.
A senior group is to report back to Government by the 10th of November with a plan to establish a regime for testing for arrivals from red list regions.
For as long as the ECDC continues to report in data for the UK, that arrivals from Great Britain be subject to the same traffic light categorisation and restrictions as set out above for EU countries. An approach to third countries, notably the US, will be kept under review – for the present, arrivals from the US will be treated on the same basis as arrivals from red/grey regions.
The proposed measures for arrivals from orange, red and grey regions, once implemented, will be reviewed fortnightly.
Passengers travelling to Ireland will be asked to confirm before boarding that they are not symptomatic for Covid-19, nor have they tested positive in the last 14 days; that they are not a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19, and have not been advised by doctors to restrict their movements. If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’; the passenger should not be permitted passage.
The Government also agreed to maintain the position that no restrictions will be applied to International Transport workers. In addition and, in accordance with the EU Recommendation, travellers with an essential function or need should not be required to undergo restricted movement or testing while exercising this essential function.
The Passenger Locator form will remain in place for all persons arriving into the State regardless of the colour location they are arriving from. Essential transport workers will continue to be exempt from completing the form.
285. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to provide support to travel agents on the basis that they have been effectively operating at level 5, with little or no travel, in line with Department of Foreign Affairs and public health advice, irrespective of the levels in the national framework for living with Covid-19. [32787/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the aspects of budget 2021 which relate to travel agents taking into account the decline in tourism activities here, particularly under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he has raised the issue of travel agents not being eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme with the Minister for Finance or the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation; the steps he suggests to ensure that travel agents are able to survive while restrictions prohibit their operation and most travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33205/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 287 and 288 together.
I am fully aware that the travel trade sector has not been able to reclaim any meaningful level of lost trade over the past 6 months. It is an SME sector, and as such travels agents and tour operators has access to all of the various business supports made available in the July stimulus package and in last month's Budget. Budget 2021 contains historic levels of State support for the SME sector in the form of wage supports, financial grants and waived commercial rates.
In addition, under current Level 5 Covid restrictions, travel agents and tour operators operating from business premises that customers are prohibited or significantly restricted from accessing may be eligible for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Any queries in relation to the operation of the CRSS should be directed to the Revenue Commissioners. Taken together, I would be hopeful that these significant measures will help safeguard the travel sector throughout the difficult months ahead so that it will be ready to trade fully again when circumstances permit.
286. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if driving instructors are allowed to operate under levels 4 and 5 of the living with Covid plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32907/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulations introduced on the 21st October by my colleague, the Minister for Health, define the provision of driving instruction as an essential service.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date.
