Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
560. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure a modern and adequate broadband telecommunications infrastructure is provided in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45378/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
Yesterday, I launched a public consultation on a national high speed coverage map. This allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether or not their premises/home is included in the Government’s proposed intervention. It also provides detailed information on a county by county basis as to which villages and townlands are to be included.
This map can be accessed at www.broadband.gov.ie. There is a wealth of data and information available here to better inform citizens about the on-going commercial investment in improved broadband services as well as the detail of the Government’s ambitious plan to ensure all parts of Ireland have access to high quality broadband services.
The next steps in this process will see a further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy in mid-2015. A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
