Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 3

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

147 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the exact position concerning the installation of broadband in County Galway; the options proposed for areas such as Caherlistrane and Headford in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/03]

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

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. My Department has run a number of programmes of targeted intervention in recent years to accelerate the delivery of faster and cheaper communications services throughout the country by the private sector. Under the national development plan, 1994-99, and INTERREG II, €26.5 million was made available in 1999 to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. Thirteen projects which rolled out broadband infrastructure nationwide to a value of €70 million, both public and private funding, were supported and are now completed. Two of the projects funded under this measure were undertaken by Esat and Ocean and they resulted in fibre optic cable being installed in Galway.

Approximately €200 million was allocated under the two regional communications and e-commerce measures of the current national development plan. 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 development of e-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 nine contracts were signed at the beginning of 2001 on foot of submissions received. These will result in additional regional investment 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 Galway and will accelerate Esat BT's roll-out of DSL in 40 locations, including three locations in Galway. Eircom will offer DSL services from three exchanges in County Galway from June, two of which, in Tuam and Ballinasloe, are being co-funded under the NDP.

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. By reducing the cost of access to fibre rings, the 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 the projects will be completed progressively over the next two years at a cost of about €60 million. I launched the Galway network in February and construction is now under way. It is expected that the network will be completed early next year. 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 are currently under way. Five projects have been recommended for funding of €260,510, including one to provide services in Galway. It is intended that the projects will run from January to October 2003.