National Broadband Plan Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2017

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Questions (155)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

155. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if special provision has been made in the tender for the national broadband scheme to ensure that the offshore islands will have priority access to high-speed broadband at an early date in view of their dependence on telecommunications; if it is planned to ensure that they are provided with broadband of 100 Mb or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43268/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department is engaged in an on-going procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network for the State led intervention under the National Broadband Plan. This procurement process has now reached its final stages following receipt of "Detailed Submissions" from two bidders last month.

Following the conclusion of the procurement process my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand and rollout to Ireland's offshore islands will form part of that engagement.