National Broadband Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Questions (167)

Carol Nolan

Question:

167. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the details of the funding his Department has allocated to date for the delivery of the national broadband plan; the projected expenditure required to fund the plan for 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48256/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

The contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP), signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019, provides for the deployment, management and operation by NBI of a high-speed broadband network to all premises in the NBP Intervention Area. The maximum possible cost to the State for the NBP contract will be €2.7 Billion over the 25 year term of the contract. €278.98 million has been paid to NBI to date under the NBP contract.

As part of Budget 2023 an allocation for 2023 of €218 million was announced for the NBP. The NBP budget allocation for 2024 will be determined next year as part of the 2024 Estimates process.