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Broadband Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Questions (189, 190, 191, 192, 193)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which the provision of broadband on a nationwide basis is progressing; if any particular shortcomings have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10767/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the provision of broadband continues in such a way as to ensure that all areas throughout the country are beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to accelerate the provision of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10769/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts are being made to ensure that the provision of broadband does not leave intermittent patches of poor or no service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/22]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to ensure that broadband is provided in such a way as to eliminate the possibility of leaving areas without service at a time when digital hubs are necessary throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 193, inclusive, together.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools, no matter how remote the location.

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 11 February, over 301,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 157,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 22 counties.

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 as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

It remains the ambition of the Government to rollout the National Broadband Plan as quickly as possible. My Department continues to engage 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. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the National Broadband Ireland build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.

The NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. In doing so NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies utilised do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved. These considerations are a matter for NBI in the first instance given its responsibility to deliver the State led intervention under the contract with the State.

Broadband 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. As of 11 February 2022, 486 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.

My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

The Government launched its digital strategy “ Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework” earlier this month. The strategy will ensure that benefits are achieved by making connectivity available to everyone, including via the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of ensuring all Irish households and businesses are covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030. An outline of the Framework is available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3a922-online-launch-of-harnessing-digital-the-digital-ireland-framework/.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 189.
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