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National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Questions (196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210)

Michael Lowry

Question:

196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34722/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

197. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34723/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

198. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34724/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34725/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

200. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34726/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

201. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34727/20]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

202. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34728/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

203. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34729/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

204. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34730/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

205. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34731/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34732/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34733/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34734/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

209. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34735/20]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

210. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan roll-out in an area (details supplied); when surveying and detailed network designs will be completed by National Broadband Ireland in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34736/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 210, inclusive, together. The Questions refer to premises which are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.

I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. 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.Given that the contracted delivery of the National Broadband Plan State led intervention is over a 7 year period and the nature of the works involved in delivering a fibre telecommunications network, it is not possible to provide a detailed timetable on a Townlands or eircode basis. In Tipperary, I can advise that surveys have commenced in the areas of Aherloe, Ballinalard, Bansha and Roscea.

Further details are available on specific areas within Tipperary 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, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/ .BCPs connected in County Tipperary include Moyglass Community Hall, Aglish Community Hall and Killurney Community Centre, with other locations at Drom Community Centre, Killoscully Community Centre and Killea GAA Club due to be connected in the coming months. A number of schools in Co Tipperary including Poulacapple National School and Killeen National School will be connected to high speed broadband, for educational access only, as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with the Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.

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