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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Services.

John Perry

Ceist:

444 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress he has made on broadband facilities for Counties Sligo and Leitrim; the time scale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/02]

The provision of telecommunications services underlies the delivery of e-business services. The provision of such services is a matter in the first instance for the companies who now operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Director of Telecommunications Regulation. As Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am responsible for public policy in the telecommunications sector within which these companies operate.

However, recognising that there are areas of the country that are not as economically attractive for firms to invest in infrastructure and services, I have undertaken a number of initiatives to facilitate the rollout of advanced communications infrastructure which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in regional Ireland.

In 1999, under the National Development Plan 1994-1999 and INTERREG II, €26.5 million was made available to support the rollout of broadband to the regions. Some 13 projects which rolled out broadband nationwide to a value, both public and private funding, of €70 million were supported and have recently been completed. These projects entailed the rollout of broadband services in the border, midlands and west region and the south and east region. Over €200 million has been allocated to the communications and e-commerce measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 for investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services.
On foot of submissions received under the first call for proposals in 2000, nine contracts were signed with telecommunications operators in 2001 which will result in additional investment in the regions in broadband infrastructure and increased availability of broadband services for business and residential users including the provision of DSL in Sligo by Esat and a data centre operated by Nevadatele in Carrick-on-Shannon. The projects involved are scheduled to be completed by the end of next year and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband infrastructure leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million.
A second call for proposals issued in late 2001. Proposals received were independently evaluated and the results of the evaluation were finalised at the beginning of this year. The results of the second call have been incorporated into the national broadband strategy, which envisages the construction of metropolitan fibre and duct networks and co-location space in a number of towns around the country. The relevant local authorities, including Leitrim, have been asked to enter procurement to establish firm prices for their proposals. The design stages for Carrick-on-Shannon and Manorhamilton have now been completed and the local authority expects to issue an invitation to tender for the construction of the networks shortly
Once procurement is completed, and subject to satisfactory pricing, contracts will be offered for these projects in the order that the local authorities complete the procurement processes to the satisfaction of my Department. It is anticipated that this will take place over the coming months. It is expected that these projects will be completed by the end of next year, subject to funding being available.
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