Vol. 533 No. 3
119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself that ongoing investment in technology in the telecommunications area is sufficient to meet current and future requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8539/01]
The provision of telecommunications infrastructure and services is a matter in the first instance for the companies which now operate in a fully liberalised market. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate. The widest possible availability of competitive services has traditionally been an important objective of Irish telecommunications policy. I have, in recent years, put in place a number of initiatives, which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in Ireland, particularly those in rural areas.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-1999, £21 million was made available to support the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure to the regions. This figure has been significantly increased to £147 million under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. This funding will be utilised to uphold and accelerate investment in competitive advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services in the regions.
The first call for proposals under the National Development Plan 2000-06 closed on 22 September 2000. The Department received twenty-eight applications for funding under this call. These were assessed and evaluated at arms length by independent consultants. I recently announced the successful 13 projects that will receive a total of £59 million in national development plan aid. My Department is now reviewing future infrastructure investment needs in the light of the results of this first call for proposals.
