Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2014
584. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents and businesses in a number of areas (details supplied) in County Monaghan, where broadband infrastructure is totally inadequate; his plans to bring broadband telecommunications infrastructure up to a modern and appropriate level in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46280/14]
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. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and at least 1.6 million of the 2.3 million addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016. In October, two companies announced projects to deliver direct fibre connectivity to approximately 500,000 homes and businesses in every county in Ireland. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available. Under EU State Aid guidelines Member States cannot intervene in areas where commercial investors have plans to roll out services.
On 24 November, 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.
