Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012
256 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for the rural broadband scheme that he has received from Meenacuing, Gweedore, County Donegal; the number of the applications received that have reached completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22735/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne application from Meenacuing, Gweedore, County Donegal has been received under the Rural Broadband Scheme. The Verification Phase of the Scheme is now underway. The details of applicants have been passed to participating companies and the companies have responded to my Department indicating where they may be able to offer services. Letters were sent to all applicants to let them know the position in relation to their application during February and March and a total of 2011 applicants responded giving their consent to receive written offers of service from the participating companies.
Data files with the details of applicants who have given their consent to be contacted by participating companies have been passed to the companies involved and letters with offers of service have been issued by most of the companies to applicants and any remaining offers will be issued shortly. The application referred to in this reply is amongst these applications and will receive offers from a number of companies who are interested in providing a broadband service to the applicant. The companies involved will be seeking to provide services to applicants over the period from the end of April until the end of July 2012. Once this phase of the Scheme is completed, the companies will be returning data to my Department to inform us of the outcome.
