Cecilia Keaveney
Question:212 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when an ISDN line is planned to be installed to cover an area (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1958/02]
Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:228 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the existing telephone lines to accommodate simple use Internet access can be upgraded in a location (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2735/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 212 and 228 together.
The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the companies who now operate in a fully liberalised market. My responsibility is for public policy in the sector within which these companies operate. Irish telecommunications policy has traditionally attempted to ensure the widest possible availability of competitive services throughout the regions. I have in recent years put in place a number of initiatives, which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in Ireland.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-1999, 26.5 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. This figure has been significantly increased under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, to 200 million. The allocation of this funding is the responsibility of my Department. Funding under this communications and e-commerce measure of the NDP will be utilised to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services which will enhance the potential for the development of electronic commerce facilities and enable the electronic provision of public services, including education services, virtual libraries, welfare and health services.
Two thirds of the funding under this measure is being made available in the Border, midland and west Region. A competition has been run by my Department to allocate the first 98 million of the funding. The competition process was executed over the summer months, with a closing date of 22 September last. Given the liberalised nature of the telecommunications sector, the competition was run on the basis of public-sector co-funding of network extensions to regional areas where it would not be commercially viable to do so at this point in time. The competition criteria specifically award points for the provision of services in deficit areas and the removal of regional barriers.