Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the ongoing steps to support remote working through the roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband internet connections, with particular reference to blackspot-prone rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20160/23]
View answer194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which broadband provision is proceeding evenly throughout the country in respect of both primary and secondary areas; the extent to which the two are merging for likely to so do in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 194 together.
The Government of Ireland’s National Digital Strategy (NDS), Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, is helping to drive the digital transition across the economy and society. Its ambition is to make connectivity available to everyone, including through the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of having all Irish households and businesses covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030.
The latest Quarterly Key Data Report (QKDR) published by ComReg on 8 March 2023 shows that fixed broadband subscriptions increased to 1.61 million, a 2.2% increase year on year. Of these 57.1% have download speeds greater than 100Mbps. FTTH subscriptions are at 500,801 which is a 34.7% increase year on year
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, which came into effect in January 2020. The contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 14 April 2023 over 147,600 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 135,500 premises passed and available for immediate connection. Over 37,300 premises are connected to the NBP Gigabit network.
Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 14 April 2023, 895 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 612 schools) have been installed 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-map/
Eir is rolling out fibre to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO has passed more than 470,000 premises with gigabit services and has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 300,000 premises. Virgin Media plans to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises. The network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
