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National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (139, 140, 141)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

139. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way a company (details supplied) plans to catch up on the Covid-19 related delays to the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the expected timeframe for these works; the connection figures it is working to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40991/21]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

140. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plan in relation to the acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; the way the roll-out will move from a six to seven year plan to a four to five year plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40992/21]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

141. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the complete roll-out plan for the National Broadband Plan for all premises across the State will be available given the Covid-19 related delays and the statements regarding acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40993/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 141 together.

Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as of 21 July over 236,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering a total of 92,000 premises. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected  and I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July, over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway and available for order and preorder. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month. In total over 19,000 premises can preorder via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick.

Further details are available on specific areas 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties at the end of August.

While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staffs are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project. As a result of this plan, NBI now expects to pass just under 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. NBI has committed to putting in place mitigation measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the programme to date.

In line with the Programme for Government NBI and my Department are also engaged in a review of potential measures that can be taken to accelerate the network rollout in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19. My Department is currently engaging with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout 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. Minister Ryan has recently written to NBI seeking to put the acceleration of the programme on a contractual footing. This will require detailed technical, commercial and financial analysis and these considerations are underway.

I expect to be in a position to bring an update to Government on progress on delivery of the NBP and the potential for acceleration in the Autumn.

Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 139.
Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 139.
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