Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

541 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the provision of broadband infrastructure in Waterford city and Dungarvan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27186/02]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The provision, promotion and pricing of communications infrastructure and services, including Internet access, is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market. It is the task of the Commission for Communications Regulation to supervise access and interconnection among operators for the purpose of the provision of electronic communications services, including Internet access. 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.

To accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector, my Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years. In 1999, under the National Development Plan 1994-1999 and INTERREG II, €26.5 million was made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Some 13 projects which rolled out broadband infrastructure nationwide to a value, both public and private funding, of €70 million were supported and are now completed.

A first call for proposals was run in 2000 and on foot of submissions received, nine contracts were signed at the beginning of 2001 which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure and increased availability of broadband services for business and residential users. The projects involved are scheduled to be completed by the end of next year and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million.

Under a second call for proposals held in 2001, €3.7 million has been made available to Eircom in respect of DSL roll-out at 14 exchanges nationwide and I also understand that Eircom has DSL enabled 500,000 customer lines which will greatly facilitate the deployment of broadband nationwide.

The broadband programme announced in March 2002 will result in the construction of open access metropolitan area fibre optic networks in upwards of 19 towns around the country, including Dungarvan and Waterford. By reducing the cost of access to fibre rings, these networks will facilitate the provision by the private sector of "always on", low cost and high speed Internet access to consumers, educational establishments, industry and business. It is expected that these projects will be completed progressively over the next two years at a cost in the region of €60 million. I expect work to begin on the Dungarvan and Waterford networks later this year and to be completed by 2004.