Statement on the New Capital Programme

clohamon

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

“Investment in the energy and communications sector is largely independent of the Government Capital Programme and is continuing at a steady rate notwithstanding the recession” said the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D. today responding to the publication of the Medium Term Capital Expenditure Framework.

Minister Rabbitte said that within the public capital programme in the years to 2016, his Department will focus spending of some €425 million largely on employment intensive energy efficiency measures/supports through the Better Energy programme and targeted measures to address market failure in the provision of broadband and the rollout of faster connectivity to 2nd level schools.

Highlighting the Better Energy programme Minister Rabbitte said “Capital investment in this area brings very considerable benefits:

Demonstrable energy savings – the 2011 programme is targeted to achieve energy savings of 500 GWh, worth €400 million to the economy
Employment intensive works - the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland anticipates close to 6,000 jobs supported from this spending
Leveraging of private sector investment - for every €1 the State invests, the private sector invests €2
Commenting on the wider investment programmes in the sector the Minister said that both the commercial semi state companies and the private sector are planning to invest over the coming years especially in energy networks and renewable energy and broadband roll out.

Essential investment in the gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks by EirGrid, ESB and Bord Gáis Éireann will underpin security of national energy supply. He indicated, subject to market and funding conditions, that the scale of these investments in the coming 5 years could be of the order of €7 billion.

With respect to high speed broadband, the Minister noted that the private sector is continuing to invest in region of €400 million to €500 million annually in the Irish telecommunications market, and the State has complemented this investment with Exchequer and EU funding to address areas of market failure. Noting that next generation broadband is a key enabler for economic recovery and growth, the Minister said “the challenge now is to accelerate the delivery of high speed broadband to the regions, and in particular to SMEs. The role for the Government will be to continue to focus on avoiding the displacement of private sector activity, encouraging private sector investment through non-fiscal measures, and addressing particular instances of market failure.” The Minister noted that the Next Generation Broadband Task Force, which he chairs, is due to conclude its deliberations shortly, and will provide critical information and recommendations that can guide policy and investment in the provision of high speed broadband.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Statement+on+the+New+Capital+Programme.htm

bealtine

clohamon wrote: »

With respect to high speed broadband, the Minister noted that the private sector is continuing to invest in region of €400 million to €500 million annually in the Irish telecommunications market,

Nearly all UPC investment as nobody else is investing...