Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the need to provide an adequate broadband telecommunications service throughout all of County Cavan; the proposals there are to ensure the necessary investment is made at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31606/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra445. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the need to provide an adequate broadband telecommunications service throughout all of County Monaghan; the proposals there are to ensure the necessary investment is made at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31607/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together.
The Government’s National Broadband Plan aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.
Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services. I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 20 fibre-based broadband networks in County Cavan and 17 networks in County Monaghan by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes proposals to provide high speed broadband in both Cavan and Monaghan towns.
The Government has committed to an ambitious network build-out to rural Ireland, with fibre as the foundation of the State-led intervention. This will be part of an end-to-end strategy to deliver high speed broadband services to all parts of Ireland that cannot be commercially served.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department, to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list has already been identified and includes 38 areas in County Cavan and 36 areas in County Monaghan.
A stakeholder consultation on the implementation of the State-led intervention has recently been launched and will feed into the mapping exercise, which I expect to conclude in autumn. It is my intention to conduct a full public consultation on the outcome of the mapping process and the proposed end-to-end strategy. EU State aid clearance will also be required. This will be followed by a detailed procurement process with a view to commencing construction of the fibre network and provision of services as quickly as possible.
