Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
89. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will receive a fibre to the home connection in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the national broadband plan by the end of 2020. [37546/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.In County Cavan, there are 42,250 premises of which 16,242 (38%) are within the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. In County Monaghan, there are 33,404 premises of which 15,282 (46%) are in the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. 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.
As of 9 November, over 126,000 premises across all 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. 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 County Cavan, surveying has taken place in Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra and Butler’s Bridge. Building works are taking place outside Cavan town including at Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles and in the south of the county at Caughoo. Indicative dates targeted by NBI to connect these circa. 3,700 premises are between February and April of 2021.
In County Monaghan, surveying has taken place in Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, and Stranooden. Indicative dates targeted by NBI to connect these circa. 4,300 premises are between August and October of 2021. Other areas which will be surveyed in 2020 include Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley.
Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan and Monaghan 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. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.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 6 November, some 190 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. In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. To date, 22 schools are live with high speed broadband for educational access only.In Cavan, Castlerahan Community Centre BCP site is now live, with Gallonray House Gallonreagh Maudabawn, Kildallan Parish Hall, Killenkere Leisure Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre and Drumavaddy Community Centre installed by NBI and awaiting connection.In Monaghan, BCP sites connected include Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands, Latton Resource Centre with further BCPs installed by NBI and awaiting connection at Corduff Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Carn Resource Centre and Mullyash Community Centre. Drumgossatt National School has been connected, for educational access only, as part of this initiative with further plans to connect Drumcorrin National School.
