Skip to main content
Normal View

National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (110)

Carol Nolan

Question:

110. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will prioritise midland counties, specifically counties Laois and Offaly, for the roll-out of the next tranche of rural broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35893/20]

View answer

Written answers

The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.

Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 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. In Offaly surveys have commenced in the areas of Brosna, Shinrone, Mount Heaton and areas close to the county boundary with Tipperary. In Laois surveys have commenced in the areas of around Portlaoise, Rossbaun, Borris-On-Osssary and Coolowley. Surveying in townlands around Ballylinnane in Laois are due to start in the first half of 2021. NBIs plan is to pass premises in both counties within the next year which is consistent with ensuring that all counties are addressed at the earliest opportunity. NBI will then build out from these initial deployments in the most efficient manner possible so that all premises are then passed. Further details are available on specific areas within County Offaly and Laois 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 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county, including Laois and Offaly, in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main deployment under the NBP. The planned BCP locations, including schools (for educational access only), library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places. 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. BCPs have been connected in Offaly at the Kilclonfert Community Centre, Ballycommon Telework and Training Centre, Primo Coaches, and Croghan Community Hall with further locations at Coolderry Community Hall, and Shannon Harbour scheduled for connection in the coming months. BCPs have been connected in Laois at the Emo Community Centre, Vicarstown Community Centre, Oisin House Rossmore, with Donaghmore Workhouse and Famine Museum scheduled to be connected in the coming months. St Jospeh’s and Shanganamore National Schools in Offaly and Shinrone National School in Laois have been connected. Killadooley National School, Gaelscoil an Tali Dála in Offaly and Lumcloon National School in Laois will be connected in the coming months. My Department continues to work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this roll out to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network roll out is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid 19.

Top
Share