Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
70. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied) relating to broadband in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6063/23]
View answerThe schools have been mapped in 2019 as non-commercial and therefore were included in the final tender process and Contract Award to National Broadband Ireland. The forecast cost to deliver a high-speed broadband network to schools in the Intervention Area was included in the tender process and these were reviewed at the time as being reasonable to achieve the network quality standards set out. National Broadband Ireland have many commercial subcontracts in place and is continually running procurement processes to deliver the National Broadband Plan. It would be inappropriate to release specific costing information around schools as this information is commercially sensitive and could interfere with future procurements that NBI will be running. All schools will be connected with fibre direct to the building as the full fibre network reaches those areas. As an interim measure it was agreed to put in place a wireless solution and accelerate the delivery of schools to ensure all schools are connected by June 2023, in a number of cases several years in advance of the full fibre being delivered.
