Vol. 571 No. 1
739 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to provide the necessary funding to enable Eircom to provide broadband access in Kenmare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19594/03]
The provision of telecommunications services is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. Recognising that the private sector lacks adequate resources to fund major infrastructure projects, my Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to facilitate the roll-out of advanced communications infrastructure, including digital subscriber lines to regional Ireland using European Regional Development Fund and Government funding.
Under the e-commerce and communications measure of the NDP 2000 to 2006, Eircom and ESAT BT are rolling out DSL facilities to selected telephone exchanges nationwide with aggregate grant aid agreements of approximately €8 million from my Department. The choice of exchanges for DSL roll-out is based on a number of factors, including the potential number of customers served by an exchange. Eircom is not yet in a position to indicate a likely date for enabling the Kenmare exchange for DSL.
