Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether her Department is willing to fund or co-fund the provision of an undersea fibre cable to each offshore island that is included in the National Broadband Plan, out of the dedicated islands fund available to her Department, as mainland to island fibre was not provided for in the National Broadband plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45959/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware,responsibility for the National Broadband Plan rests with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). Any queries relating to the roll-out of the plan and specification of cables and connections should be directed to DECC.
With regards to the islands, the Deputy will be aware that I recently launched Our Living Islands, the Government's National Islands Policy in June, along with a three year action plan. Within that, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has committed to delivering high-speed broadband to broadband connection points, digital hubs and schools on the islands as well as reviewing the timeline for the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to accelerate the deployment programme for delivery of access to high speed broadband to every premises.
My Department will continue to engage with DECC regarding the implementation of these commitments and to discuss with them any concerns or opportunities to ensure the delivery of quality high speed broadband connection to island communities in line with the commitments in Our Living Islands.
