I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 119 together.
The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised marketplace, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
The Information Society Commission published its report, Ireland's Broadband Future, in December 2003. The overriding conclusions of the report are that the market has failed to meet demand in respect of broadband connectivity, and that there is a proven need for Government intervention with a set of measures to accelerate the provision of infrastructure and the driving of demand.
An indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding was set aside under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for telecommunications infrastructure projects that will enable the provision of modern, high-speed communications by the private sector. The investment covers projects by both the private sector and local authorities, including the 19 metropolitan area networks, which are now being completed and which will begin coming on stream in mid-2004.
In December last, I announced my Department's broadband action plan, which will roll out connectivity to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and over, using community broadband exchanges and strategic fibre. A new group broadband scheme, similar to group water schemes, will enable smaller rural communities, for example, communities with a population of fewer than 1,500, to pool their demands and secure high-speed connectivity from a range of service providers, with grant assistance from the Government.
This programme will be run in partnership with the telecommunications industry. A spend of €35 million each year from now until 2007 has been committed to the broadband action plan. I have announced new framework deals with Esat BT and ESB Telecom to provide high-speed connectivity to the regions at less than 12% of the cost of the current high-speed connectivity, which has been widely welcomed.
Over 40 towns on the two companies' networks will be involved. The pricing of the two complementary offerings is on a par with the best available on the international market, and orders of magnitude below what had previously been available on the Irish market. The offerings will link all regions of the country at low cost and high speed, and will effectively remove the distance-from-Dublin factor, which until now was a considerable consideration for the provision of broadband.
Recent figures released by ComReg show the dramatic increase in the take-up of broadband in the past year. Ireland can now boast one of the highest Internet penetration levels in Europe, with more than 50,000 customers accessing the Internet though flat-rate packages offered by Eircom Net and other Internet service providers.
There are now more than 32,000 DSL subscribers nationally, compared with 1,000 just a year ago, in March 2003, and the number is increasing every month. Ireland can also boast, at 30%, one of the highest digital television penetration rates in Europe.
I recently launched a website, www.broadband.gov.ie, to give information to consumers about these services. The site also allows the public to register their interest in receiving broadband services. I would encourage Deputies on all sides of the House to ensure that all their constituents know about this issue.