Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006
883 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he will announce the third tranche of grants for broadband internet service providers; if Tuam, County Galway will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29766/06]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market under the regulation of the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. My Department administers a Group Broadband Scheme which offers small towns and rural communities of less than 1,500 people the chance to come together with service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their areas with funding assistance from the Government. The most recent call for proposals has now closed and the question of a further round of financial assistance for the provision of broadband in rural areas is currently under consideration.
