Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
145. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises currently connected through the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan by county in tabular form; the number of premises yet to be connected; the projected yearly figures for connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/21]
View answerDespite 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 in Carrigaline, Co Cork, Cavan and Galway. I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month.
NBI is a wholesale provider which means it makes the network available to Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to connect and provide the service to end users. There are now 45 RSPs signed up to offer services on the NBI network to customers across Ireland, which will create greater competition, choice and value to consumers. RSPs are actively selling on the NBI Network with over 19,000 premises now available for order and preorder through local broadband service providers.
NBI will only connect end users once orders are placed with retail service providers. There can be a significant time lag from the time premises are passed with fibre to when an end user might seek a connection to their home. This can be for many reasons - end users may be tied into contracts for up to two years with their current providers, some homes may be unoccupied for periods of time, some end users simply take more time than others before they decide to seek a connection. Ultimately, NBI expect the majority of homes and businesses in each deployment area to be connected within the next five to 10 years as demand for fibre ramps up and as the legacy copper network is switched off across the State.
NBI expects to pass circa 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. 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 staff 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. Consequently and in light of ongoing discussions regarding the potential to accelerate the programme, targets for the remaining years of the programme are subject to further discussion and negotiation.
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.
