Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2008
948 Deputy Seán Ardagh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide information on expenditure for 2007 and 2008 and predictions for 2009 to 2013 under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 broadband programme, as carried out and predicted in tabular form (details supplied). [28417/08]
View answer€435 million was earmarked under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 for broadband initiatives. During 2007 €37.95m was spent, primarily on Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and the Group Broadband Scheme. To end June 2008 a further €17.5m has been spent primarily on MANs. The total 2009 estimate for expenditure under this heading is €66m. It is not possible at this stage to give projections of expenditure for each of the years 2009 to 2013. I am, however, confident that the full amount of €435m will be drawn down over the period of the NDP.
