Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
203. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a recently built local authority housing estate (details provided) with no provision for broadband due to a lack of landline infrastructure; and if he will engage with the relevant authorities to resolve the issue. [13332/21]
View answerI understand the importance of telecommunication services, particularly at a time where restrictions are in place and when people are relying much more on these electronic communications services. The Estate in question is located in the BLUE area of the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department’s website at www.broadband.gov.ie. Blue areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
That being said, my Department will investigate this matter with the relevant authorities and will revert to the Deputy with a further update.
