Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3454. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of her Department regarding the Mobile Broadband Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41048/21]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was launched in July 2016 with the objective of improving access to high-quality mobile phone coverage and broadband services in rural Ireland. The Taskforce consists of representatives from a number of Government departments and agencies and is supported in its work by Telecommunications Industry Ireland and the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
Over the operational lifetime of the Taskforce, it has addressed more than 70 targeted actions, worked on removing structural barriers to telecommunications deployment and addressed mobile coverage deficits, particularly in rural areas. Work on many of these actions continues, led by the action owners and supported by other Taskforce members.
Significant progress has been made by the Taskforce, although I am aware that there remains a range of strategic issues that will require multiple Government Department and agencies working together in order to solve.
As the Taskforce’s 2019 Work Programme has ended, attention has now turned towards the future orientation of the Taskforce, which will be informed by relevant Programme for Government commitments.
Officials in my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have prepared a report on the Taskforce’s achievements and are currently evaluating which issues should be addressed by the Taskforce in the future.
Since its inception, the implementation and overseeing of the Taskforce has been, and remains, a joint commitment between the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and my Department. I will continue to work with my colleague the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to agree a new direction for the Taskforce, which will build on the success and positive engagement that has taken place across central government, local government, statutory agencies and industry.
