Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
121. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Cork; the areas which will be connected first within the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34561/20]
View answer139. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the National Broadband Plan will be prioritised in County Cork given the commitment to build County Cork as a viable alternative to Dublin. [35080/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 139 together.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in Cork which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention, the contract for which was signed last November with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). As of 4 November almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed by NBI which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Of this figure, some 16,432 premises have been surveyed to date in Cork. This activity informs design solutions for the provision of the fibre network and NBI crews have started initial works for the build covering approximately 4,000 premises in the Carrigaline area, including Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, and Kilpatrick. NBI crews have also started initial works for the network build in Galway, Ballinasloe, Limerick and Cavan.The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.Further details are available on specific areas within Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie . Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP, providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 30 October, 187 sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.
59 publicly accessible BCPs across the country are now live with 7 of these in Co Cork at Ballindangan, Lissavard, Aghabullogue, Castletownkenneigh and Whitechurch Community Centres; T.O. Park Labbamollaga Community Facility; and Bere Island Heritage Centre. In addition, Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools in Cork will also be connected for educational access as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
