Robert Troy
Question:526. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in terms of the need for fixed-line broadband in Carrickboy, County Longford. [35536/14]
View answerTuesday, 23 September 2014
Questions (526, 528, 533)
Noel Coonan
Question:528. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be included for high-speed broadband; the reasons for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35687/14]
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Pat Deering
Question:533. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a progress report on the implementation of the plan to increase high-speed broadband in 14 locations in County Carlow and over 1,000 nationwide that were identified for improved connections in April 2014. [35911/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 526, 528 and 533 together.
The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list of areas has already identified and includes 17 areas in County Longford, including Carrickboy and 78 areas in County Tipperary, including Templetuohy as well as 14 areas in County Carlow. Commercial operators are also rolling out high speed services in all three counties.
As part of the mapping process, an initial stakeholder consultation on certain technical aspects of the proposed Plan was launched in June with a deadline of 15th September. 31 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses will be published over the coming weeks.
I expect to publish the maps for public consultation later this year. These will include details of the areas requiring State intervention. These maps will be dynamic and will be subject to change if new commercial investments are announced in the future.
A further public consultation on a proposed comprehensive intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015.
EU State Aid clearance will be required for the proposed State intervention. My Department will be working closely with the European Commission on this important aspect of the programme.
Finally, a detailed procurement process will have to be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) prior to commencing the roll out of high speed broadband services.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and for my Department. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in a sustainable and meaningful way. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located.