Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 3

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

68 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 5 December 2000, the project submissions she has received from all regions in response to the competition mentioned in the reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30133/00]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

69 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the next competition will be announced by her Department under the communications and e-commerce measure of the national development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30134/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.

Under the national development plan 2000-2006, IR£147 million has been made available to support the roll-out of broadband to the regions. The allocation of this funding is the responsibility of my Department.

A competition has been run by my Department to allocate the first IR£60 million of the funding. A large number of project submissions from the Border, midlands, west, south and east regions have been received. The submissions have been assessed and evaluated at arms length by independent consultants under the competition criteria. Contracts are being offered to the highest ranked proposals. It is expected that contracts will be signed before the end of the year and an announcement will be made early next year.

In announcing these contracts extensive information will be made available on both the geographic and technical elements of the projects being grant aided. The submitters of projects which are not being supported will be informed of this fact. It is not intended to publicly list these project submissions.

It is anticipated that an announcement concerning the next competition to award Structural Funds will be made in the first quarter of 2001.