Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
291. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the roll-out by National Broadband Ireland will be extended to an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51214/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has undertaken an initial investigation into the matter and I understand that Innishannon Main Street, Co. Cork is connected to the local exchange and therefore premises on this road should be able to access speeds of up to 90Mbps.
Given that this premises is located outside of the Intervention Area, I have asked my officials to pass the details on to the Department of Rural and Community Development to ascertain whether their funding programmes for remote working and improved connectivity might be relevant. The Department of Rural and Community Development will be asked to respond directly in relation to the matters raised.
