Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Denis Naughten

Question:

157 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the towns in County Roscommon and County Longford included in her recent announcement for the provision of broadband access to rural towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9815/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The second call for proposals run under the e-commerce and communications measure of the National Development Plan 2000-06 closed on 19 October 2001. A substantial number of applications were received, including applications from local authorities.

Roscommon County Council applied for a grant to build a metro area network in Roscommon town and has been selected as one of the 19 towns to move forward to procurement. Longford County Council did not apply for funding. A cable and Internet company, Crossan Cable, is constructing a network in Longford town with NDP funding allocated under the first call for proposals. Details of this project are available at www.ndpcomms.gov.ie.