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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Telecommunications Services.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

366 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6920/03]

The provision of communications infrastructure and services is a matter for the private sector companies that operate in the fully liberalised telecommunications market with reference to the direction and supervision of the Commission for Communications Regulation. 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 nation-wide to a value, both public and private funding, of €70 million were supported and are now completed. One of the projects funded under this measure was undertaken by Esat. The project involved the roll-out of fibre optic cable in many urban areas, including Dundalk. The 4,500 metre Dundalk ring services Dundalk Regional Technical College, the Finnabair Industrial Estate and the Coes Road Industrial Estate.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, approximately €200 million was allocated under the two regional communications and e-commerce measures. Funding under these measures is intended to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services. This 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.

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 2003 and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million. Projects funded under this call include the construction of a new national fibre backbone by ESB Telecom which will serve both Drogheda and Dundalk and accelerating Esat BT's roll-out of DSL in 40 locations, including Drogheda. I also understand that Eircom is offering DSL services in Drogheda and Dundalk.
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. 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. My Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Finance representatives regarding a proposal from local authorities in the north east to construct further fibre optic networks in a number of locations in the north east, including County Louth.
My Department is also exploring the potential of wireless based technologies to promote the deployment of broadband access in Ireland, particularly in remote areas. Pilot projects utilising Wireless LAN technologies in diverse user communities to assess their suitability as a platform for the delivery of advanced broadband services in the regions included are currently under way. Five projects have been recommended for funding of €260,510, including one by Digiweb to provide services in County Louth. It is intended that the projects will run from January to October 2003.
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