Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
413. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the State-led intervention under the national broadband plan; when a decision on the procurement process will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10384/19]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012 less than 700,000, or 30%, of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
The NBP procurement process is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion and I intend to bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
