Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010
348 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date in ensuring that broadband is made available to a community (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5437/10]
View answerThe provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter for the companies operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated where appropriate by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. Despite the success of targeted interventions undertaken by my Department, some areas, including areas in County Donegal, are still unable to receive broadband services. To address this, my Department is considering the detailed design and implementation of a scheme which would address the issue of unserved rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme areas. The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme funding for rural broadband initiatives. It is hoped to commence the scheme this year with the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband. State aid approval has been granted by the European Commission as part of the overall process of securing the necessary approvals and funding for the scheme.
