Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
64. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to upgrade broadband services at schools; the timeline for each school concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42523/21]
View answerBroadband 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 and currently include primary schools, community centres, sports centres and agricultural marts. To date most of that activity has focussed on community halls, sports centres and schools.
My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. An acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan will see some 677 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by the end of 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
Of the 677 schools 137 have been installed by National Broadband Ireland to date: 81 are connected and now live, 31 are awaiting connection by the retail service provider (RSP) and 25 are awaiting to be awarded an RSP by the Department of Education. It is expected that well in excess of 200 will be installed by the end of this year with all 677 schools connected by end 2022.
