Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2014
19. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps being taken to ensure maximum national coverage of high speed broadband without an undue burden on the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47116/14]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that 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.
On the 24 November last, the Minister launched a public consultation on the National High Speed Coverage Map 2016. 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 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. Given the strong dynamic that currently exists in the Irish broadband market we can expect a very competitive procurement process. In addition, we will be designing the tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost to taxpayers as low as possible. It is expected that the physical build of this network will commence from 2016.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
