Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
7. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the criteria he will prioritise in seeking tenders to implement the national broadband plan in respect of those areas which have had little or no broadband service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10231/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI very much welcome the provisions under the national broadband plan. A previous Administration introduced a national broadband scheme. It did not have the same level of funding and it had flaws. It would be a mistake not to recognise it did not deliver what was envisaged, although it delivered a good 3G network. The national broadband plan is better funded and I predict it will have a much better outcome in delivering broadband to the country. What areas are being prioritised in terms of public money and how the market will meet the national broadband plan?
I thank the Deputy for his question. The national broadband plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high-quality, high-speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services, with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high-speed broadband services over the next two years. These significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November the Minister published a national high-speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked in blue represent those areas that will have access to commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016. The amber areas show the target areas for State intervention. The map allows all members of the public, be they business or residential, to see whether their premises or homes will have access to commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016 or whether they will be included in the Government's proposed intervention.
A public consultation on the map, which commenced in November, closed on 12 February. A total of 29 submissions have been received to date and will be assessed over the coming weeks. This will help inform the key decisions that require to be taken to finalise our comprehensive intervention strategy which will be published for consultation in July.
The strategy will address a range of important issues on the intervention, including the optimum procurement model, ownership and governance options, funding issues and levels of service for end users. Part of the analysis being undertaken involves consideration of identifying and prioritising strategic connection points, such as enterprise parks, schools and other points of economic or social activity in rural communities.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
The proposed intervention will also be subject to state aid clearance from the European Commission.
Following the public consultation this summer, a detailed procurement process, in line with EU and Irish procurement rules, will be undertaken to select a preferred bidder or bidders. The Department will design the tender in a way that maximises efficiencies and keeps the cost of the network build as low as possible. It is anticipated that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a five year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government. It aims to address conclusively current connectivity challenges in Ireland.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. My question is on those locations the market will never enter without State subvention. The State should intervene in these peripheral areas first. In a reply to an earlier question, the Minister of State mentioned the islands and other areas where there is no hope the market will intervene, and these should be the first priority. As technology develops and better systems become available, those areas where the market can make a viable intervention will become less clear and predictable. To achieve value for money and sensible broadband roll-out to rural areas, the plan should start where the market is least likely to go and meet the market halfway. This would be a sensible approach.
Areas have already been identified in the amber sections of the national broadband plan maps produced by the Department. This is with regard to 90% of the geographical area but 30% of the population. These are the most peripheral areas. Earlier we spoke about the islands, and several islands down south, such as Sherkin Island, Bere Island and Oileán Chléire, are close to the Deputy's heart. Communities in the most peripheral areas think the further away their area is, the more likely it is to be dealt with last. I have raised this point, and as part of the procurement process we examined whether those areas which are always last could come first. This is the type of creative thinking we need.
We are having a parallel conversation about how to save post offices, and Bobby Kerr who chairs the group has been considering the potential of post offices to become Internet cafes. We cannot have Internet cafes on Tory Island, Sherkin Island or Bere Island if we do not have broadband. We need creative thinking about where to start, but now is the time to have the conversation and feed into the procurement process.
The islands are a good illustration, but there are areas on the mainland which are equally isolated. If we are going to intervene where the market will not, I suggest we do so where the market will never be in a position to provide broadband. If we are going to do so, we may as well do it sooner rather than later. With improving technology and better systems, the market will approach more isolated areas, and as time goes on, it will become less clear where State subvention should be, but we should first work in those areas where State subvention is definitely required.
No doubt Deputy Harrington's suggestion will feed into the conversation. I do not have a problem with it and it is a good suggestion. The Wild Atlantic Way had a number of tourists last year, and before it was actively or aggressively promoted, it was a success. Somebody researching it on an iPhone in Bavaria and deciding to go to south Cork or north Donegal will expect to have Internet access when travelling the Wild Atlantic Way to find out what is happening in Galway, Clare, Sligo, Malin Head or Kinsale.
Public consultation will be launched in mid-2015. Will the Minister of State give an idea of the date on which this might happen? Will he give an update on the metropolitan area networks? I understand they have been rolled out in some towns.
I am familiar with the MANs from a number of towns and industrial estates in my county. Gweedore industrial estate has a MAN, as do larger towns such as Letterkenny, Carndonagh, Buncrana and Donegal town. At the time, overall responsibility for the MANs was given to Enet and I have had a number of conversations with its CEO. The company wants to work on various projects on its MANs throughout Ireland. I suggest the Deputy gets in touch with Enet's CEO because no doubt there are MANs in his constituency. I get the feeling the company is open to ideas on potential creative solutions. It is working in Ennis at present. From what I hear, the company is looking to engage with the Government and there is potential. The MAN in Letterkenny was not enough on its own to provide the proper infrastructure for big companies such as Pramerica, United Healthcare and Zeus. Project Kelvin, a North Atlantic connectivity to Coleraine, Lifford and Letterkenny, provides another solution. MANs are certainly part of the mix, and for the Deputy's information, Enet is open to conversation.
Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, replied to with Written Answers.
