Broadband Service Speeds

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015

Thursday, 16 July 2015

Questions (680)

Denis Naughten

Question:

680. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps which she is taking to ensure that every further education and training and Youthreach centre has direct access to 100 Mb broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30230/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

There is a project underway at present to provide all the Training Centres and the Head Office locations of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) with gigabit connections to the Government Cloud Network. Currently the training centres all have 50mbps connections and all internet traffic passes through SOLAS head office, but the new gigabit connections will provide the centres with direct internet access.

There are currently no plans for a national broadband programme for other ETB centres but individual ETBs make arrangements to provide appropriate access based on available infrastructure.