Written Answers Nos. 287-306
287. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify if any of the 98 further women's refuge centres announced in priority locations by 2025 will be located in Carlow (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33253/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key aim of the Third National Strategy is the doubling of the number of refuge places over its lifetime, bringing it to 280.
In order to achieve this ambitious goal, we are working with all stakeholders to put in place the necessary structures and supports to accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year on year.
Work undertaken to implement the Strategy has already prepared the way for this, including through the development of agreed processes and approaches that will support organisations to deliver the highest standard of refuge accommodation in the most efficient and holistic way.
Development of 28 refuge units is underway in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan to be delivered by end 2024. There will be 98 refuge units in priority locations delivered by end 2025 along with a further 19 additional and upgraded units by the end of the Strategy.
Tusla is continuing to support the process of developing a refuge for Carlow, including considerable engagement with local stakeholders, the Carlow Refuge Development Advisory Group, over the past six months.
A process was undertaken by the group to identify possible organisations interested in taking a lead on developing a refuge in Carlow.
This early-stage process was concluded in June and a report was submitted to Tusla with recommendations that will inform the next steps and timeline for the development of the Carlow domestic violence refuge.
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to clarify whether at any point over the past ten years the SSL certificates for her Department’s websites expired for a period of time; if so, the reason this occurred; and the duration they remained expired. [33277/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice has a process in place for managing security certificates on our infrastructure. The Department’s records do not show any instance of the department website being unavailable due to SSL certificate expiry. An SSL certificate was only added to the Department website in 2021.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) might be granted a temporary visa to assist with their mother’s obsequies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33392/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy does not state the nationality of the person referred to. However, it is noted that the address provided is in South Africa and South African nationals are not visa required and may seek to enter and reside in the State on visitors conditions for up to 90 days.
Entry into the State, for both visa required and non-visa required nationals, is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation, the reasons for seeking entry to the State and/or a person’s previous Immigration history, refuse entry to the State or grant permission for a period of less than 3 months.
If they are unsure as to whether they require a visa/preclearance to enter Ireland they can check their nationality on the list at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf
In order to be fair to all of our applicants, we do not expedite visa applications or appeals. Applications are generally processed in the order in which they are received. Expediting an application is usually confined to time-sensitive instances e.g. where a family member has been hospitalised, in a life-threatening situation or in the unfortunate event of a bereavement.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx .
When making an emergency application the applicant should select “Other” when they are completing the “What is the reason for travel?” section.
They should briefly explain their circumstances when they are completing the “Purpose of Travel” section. Once they are satisfied with their application they should click “submit” and print a copy of the “Summary Form”.
They must then lodge the summary form together with the relevant fee and supporting documentation with the Irish Embassy as soon as possible. The supporting documentation should be as up to date as possible. Only upon receipt of the necessary documentation & fee, can the visa application be processed further. They should also engage with the embassy explaining the nature of the emergency and provide whatever documentary evidence may be available.
If the applicant believes that their situation meets the criteria listed above, they should mail travelrequest@justice.ie with the subject “EMERGENCY TRAVEL REQUIRED” along with their visa application number. A member of our Customer Service Team will respond to them as soon as possible.
The Customer Service Team will usually seek supporting documentary evidence to verify the situation e.g. a letter from a hospital/doctor or other relevant authority. My Department will work with families, or their representatives, to facilitate the application if possible.Emergency applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically.
For your convenience I have included a link to the contact detail of the embassy below:
www.dfa.ie/embassies/irish-embassies-abroad/sub-saharan-africa/south-africa/
290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a visa appeal might be granted in the name of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33393/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa application referred to was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on 04 July 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal.
An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision.
It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. You will find further details on the appeals process at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/.
Full consideration will be given to any appeal received on behalf of the applicant, however the onus is on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.
The applicant is advised not to pay for a travel ticket before they receive a decision on their visa. There is no guarantee that any individual application will be successful.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a visa appeal might be granted in the name of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33394/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa application referred to was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on 04 July 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal.
An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision.
It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. You will find further details on the appeals process at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/.
Full consideration will be given to any appeal received on behalf of the applicant, however the onus is on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.
The applicant is advised not to pay for a travel ticket before they receive a decision on their visa. There is no guarantee that any individual application will be successful.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
292. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 (Fisheries) Amendment Act, the 1933 Foreshore (as amended) and applicable National and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The time for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department also takes full account of all scientific and technical advice, in addition to all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Further factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the requirement for an Appropriate Assessment and whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period, etc.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application.
As the application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on individual applications.
293. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify whether at any point over the past to date the SSL certificates for his Department’s websites expired for a period of time; if so, the reason this occurred; and the duration they remained expired. [33266/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has a robust process in place to track SSL cert expiry and ensure renewals of SSL certificates occur in a timely fashion. The Department’s websites have not suffered from a period of SSL cert expiry over the last ten years.
294. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to address increased concerns in the tillage sector with regards to the current tillage targets agricultural modernisation scheme (TAMS) in view that the pricing structures may not accurately reflect the cost of modern tillage machinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33293/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department completed a comprehensive review of all costings before launching the the latest round of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) to bring the reference costs in line with the receipted costs being submitted.
There can be a wide range of costs for a particular piece of tillage equipment depending upon the manufacturer, the model and the specification of the machine.
As with previous rounds of TAMS, the reference costs for TAMS 3 will be kept under review throughout the lifetime of the scheme to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of purchase of the relevant investment.
295. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an extension of the deadline for the submission of scoreboards under the agri-climate rural environment scheme (ACRES) in view of the large volume of farm walks required to be undertaken by agri-advisors within the very short timeframe before 31 August 2023 deadline, and also in view that Department officials have outlined significant penalties for farmers in the scheme including removal from the scheme should farmers not have their lands scored within a month of the deadline passing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33294/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Environment Scheme (ACRES) is Ireland’s flagship agri-environment scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. It will pay farmers €1.5 billion over its lifetime, which is the largest sum ever committed to an agri-environment scheme in Ireland. I am delighted to have approved over 46,000 farmers for entry to the scheme earlier this year.
A key feature of ACRES is the introduction of a results-based system that rewards farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.
Participants in the ACRES eight Cooperation Project (CP) Zones will receive results-based payments, whereas those in the ACRES General stream could have chosen results-based actions on application. All these lands will be scored over the summer months, by approved ACRES advisors, who have completed the mandatory in-field scorecard training.
Farmers can use any approved ACRES advisor to submit these scorecards and my Department has developed a phone app (AgriSnap) to streamline the submission of scorecards. Scorecards are being submitted daily by advisors.
Scoring of land at the correct time of the year is an integral part of the results-based payment model and is essential to ensure the correct payment rate is assigned to the land in question. It is essential that all lands are scored by 31st August 2023 to ensure the best period for scoring and to ensure payments can be delivered in November 2023.
296. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the horticultural sector; if consideration would be given to the establishment of a targeted financial support scheme to assist with rising production costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
The National Exchequer funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector has an increased budget of €10 million and is currently open for applications. The Scheme is open to growers in all horticultural sectors including beekeeping and provides grant at a rate of up to 40% (50% for young farmers) on capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.
The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency, Automation and Processing for Commercial Mushroom Producers and the 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Commercial Non-Primary Producers in the Mushroom Sector and for Peat Replacement by Commercial Mushroom Producers are two Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funded schemes which are currently open for applications with a total budget of €5 million. These schemes are intended to assist in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the mushroom sector.
The BAR funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and Chipping Potato Sector has a budget of €3.1 million to help in the development of capacity in these sectors. The EU funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables delivered €4.2 million in aid for the industry in 2022. Similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
To address some of the challenges being faced across the horticulture sectors, the recently published National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 identified eight Key Strategic Actions the implementation of which aim to support the long term viability of the horticulture industry.
My Department continues to engage with the sector in relation to current challenges.
297. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in tabular form the number of tree-falling licences issued from 1 January 2022 to 31 May 2022; the number issued during the same timeframe in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33299/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in tabular form the total number of kilometres of road licences issued from 1 January 2022 to 31 May 2022; the total number issued during the same timeframe in 2023, and to clarify why there has been a significant decrease in road licences issued in 2023 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33300/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid rules and to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
A revised Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation ( ABER), which was expanded favourably in relation to forestry, came into force from 01 January 2023. The Forest Road scheme met the conditions to be block exempted and was notified to the Commission under the ABER. The scheme was deemed acceptable to proceed under the State Aid Framework. Subsequently, the Forest Road Scheme launched on 24/04/2023 and my Department has accepted applications since that date.
The scheme is subject to the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA)/Appropriate Assessment (AA) process so no approvals will issue until the appropriate environmental processes have been concluded to allow for any possible changes to any terms and conditions. However, opening the scheme allows for forest road applications to be lodged and for progress to be made towards a decision.
In addition and in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which included the opening of an Interim Forest Road Scheme . This has ensured that those with valid road licences at the end of 2022 can avail of the higher grant rates as proposed under the new Programme.
Meanwhile the issuing of felling licences by my Department is not affected by the engagement with the European Commission. Indeed, to date, 1,575 felling licences have issued from my Department, equating to 18,386 hectares. The volume of wood available from these licences amounts to 5,025,884m3.
|
Roads licences issued in km |
De Minimis Forest Road approvals in km |
Number of felling licences issued |
Felling area approved in Ha |
|
|
1st January 2022 to 31st May 2022 |
1,702 |
1,470 |
20,203 |
|
|
1st January 2023 to 31st May 2023 |
119 |
56 |
1,351 |
16,072 |
299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the monthly targets for private licences with ecology input, excluding Coillte felling licences, were predominantly higher in series one in comparison to series two from January 2022 to January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33301/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the weekly Forestry Dashboard sets out a series of forestry statistics in the form of a series of charts and tables. The table in question shows the monthly target for processing files with ecology input, versus what actually issued that each month. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue when being updated, the legends on this table defaulted from the proper titles, "Target" and "Issued", to "Series 1" and "Series 2". This has since been rectified and the target of 220 licences with ecology input for January 2022 is the same as the target for January 2023.
300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what impact the low level of afforestation licences issued for 2023 will have on Ireland's environmental and climate targets; if his Department plans to increase the number of afforestation licences issued for the remainder of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33302/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and contribute to our overall climate and environmental targets.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval from the EU Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced. The previous State Aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas expired on 31 December 2022 and have now been replaced with a revised version as of 01 January 2023.
The introduction of these revised guidelines meant that a formal application for State Aid could not have been submitted to the European Commission until the revised guidelines were in place, i.e. before January 2023.
Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can then be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.
It is important to note that that no new grant aided licence approvals can issue under these or any other schemes until the appropriate environmental processes have been concluded, however all grant aided licence applications currently in the system will continue to be progressed up to the point of approval so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
In recognition of the need for planting activity to continue during the State Aid assessment of the Forestry Programme, my Department engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution. This led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (All via General De Minimis).
This ensured that those with valid licence approvals issued before the end of 2022, could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed to be paid under the new Forestry Programme.
Extensive work has been undertaken by the Department in this area and to date this year, a total of 288 applications have been approved under the interim Afforestation scheme (via general de minimis) representing 1,752 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme 119 approvals have issued representing 54,859 metres. While, under the interim RUS scheme 23 approvals have issued for 83.75 hectares.
Of the 1,752 hectares approved in 2023 for afforestation under the interim afforestation scheme, we have received indication that almost 1,195 hectares of planting has completed, and planting has commenced on a further area of 261 hectares.
In relation to the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan, the new increased premium rates and extended period of 20 year payments to farmers will, I expect, engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.
I would like to assure the Deputy, that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority. A comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
301. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the application for the animal remedies merchants licence for a company (details supplied); when it will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33408/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fully completed and correct Merchant Retail application form was received in my Department on behalf of the named company on 6 June. Such licence applications are generally processed within 28 days where possible. My Department has informed the applicant that the necessary approval on-site inspection is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 4 July. Once the inspection is completed and passed the licence will issue forthwith.
302. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a deed of transfer will be processed for persons in County Mayo (details supplied), in view of the inordinate amount of time it is taking to be dealt with and the serious impact of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33413/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been in direct contact with the solicitor acting in this matter, and she is aware that matters have significantly moved on. Extensive research into the historical title of this property was carried out by my Department, and it has been established that the lands in question did not form part of the lands in the Estate of Oranmore and Browne (Record No CDB9688, LC3358 and subsequently registered on Folio MY9417) that were acquired by the Congested Districts Board, of which my Department is a successor in title. The Department therefore cannot execute or process any form of transfer. The length of time involved reflects the complexity of the research involved in investigating and establishing the factual position as it was reflected in historical deeds and records dating back over 100 years.
My Department is actively engaging with the acting solicitor to assist her in an appropriate manner with her application to register her client’s title.
303. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider funding for a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO5, given that no funding has been allocated to date for a team in CHO5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
304. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to extend parental leave to parents of teenagers during their children’s teenage years due to the importance of their development during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33239/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended), an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.There have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years, and this includes the extension of the parental leave entitlements in 2019 from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the extension of the time period in which the leave can be taken from when the child attains the age of 8 years to when the child attains the age of 12 years. Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents. Mindful of the significant new leave entitlements being brought forward this year through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, however, there are no current plans to modify current entitlements to parental leave.
305. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the funding for community neurorehabilitation teams in each CHO; when they can expect to be in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33240/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
306. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on establishment of the community neurorehabilitation team in CHO7; when this will be in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – 'Our Shared Future’ - includes a commitment to advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community.
The Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy Implementation Framework (IF) was launched in February 2019. The aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity.
This must be integrated across the care pathway and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs).
The overarching aim is the development of these networks around the country.
In order to test the feasibility of this new MCRN model in the Irish context, a decision was made by the Neuro-Rehab Steering Group to run two demonstrator projects within CHO6 and CHO7 to assess the feasibility of the model to inform national roll-out.
The recruitment process within CHO6 and CHO7 is well advanced and and teams are planned to be operational in Q4 2023.
Moving forward with the strategy, the plan will be to roll out these services on a national basis.
