Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan to provide fibre to the home will be implemented without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49707/18]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial companies are unlikely to invest.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks on how to proceed.
