Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2021
222. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises connected under the National Broadband Plan in counties Galway and Roscommon to date in tabular form. [30278/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
There are 38,897 premises within the NBP intervention area in County Galway. I am advised by NBI that, as of 27 May, 14,914 of the premises have been surveyed. Surveying is complete or ongoing in the areas of Oranmore, Clarinbrige, Claregalway, Furbo, Barna, Ballinasloe, Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell, Ahascragh, Inverin, Spiddal, Bealadangan, Costelloe, Rossaveel, Derroe, Carraroe, Sruthan, Loughrea, Kilnadeema, Kilchreest, Clostoken, Carrabane, Bullaun, Kilreekill and Heathlawn. Main build work are currently underway in areas of Galway and Ballinasloe. Pre-build works are underway in Gort.
There are 19,185 premises within the Intervention Area in County Roscommon and NBI has advised that 8,268 of the premises have been surveyed. In County Roscommon surveying is complete or ongoing in the areas of Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky and Fourmilehouse. Main works have commenced in the areas around Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky and Fourmilehouse.
The following table sets out the areas where build works for the new high speed broadband network have commenced in County Galway and County Roscommon and where premises are expected to be passed and available for connection later this year.
|
Area |
Number of Premises (approx.) |
Current Status |
|
Galway |
3,502 |
Main build works underway |
|
Ballinasloe |
3,307 |
Main build works underway |
|
Roscommon |
3,591 |
Main build works underway |
Further details are available on specific areas within County Galway and Roscommon 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 27 May, 317 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. In County Galway BCP sites are connected at Kilronan Library, Comhar Na Noileán, Cortoon Community Centre, Lettermullen Community Centre and Old Secondary School. In County Roscommon, BCP sites are connected at Creeve Community Centre, Ballybay Community (Parochial) Hall, Dangan Community Centre, Saint Patrick'S Hall, Cam Community Centre, Gortaganny Resource Center and Tawnytaskin Community Centre.
In County Galway, Ballinakill National School, Brownsgrove National School, Mweenish National School, Saint Joesph's National School, Scoil Caomhain, Saint Mary's National School and Briarhill National School are connected as part of this initiative. In County Roscommon Ballagh National School is connected. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband and this aspect of the National Broadband Plan is to be accelerated to ensure 679 primary schools nationally are connected to high speed broadband by the end of next year.
