Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2015
608. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will improve broadband services in the village of Ashford in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45022/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to deliver high quality, high speed broadband to every citizen and business, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by telecoms operators, and a State led intervention in those parts of the country where commercial services will not be provided.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. The areas marked BLUE on the map represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention and this includes Ashford, County Limerick.
It is anticipated that speeds of at least 30Mbps will be also delivered through the Government's intervention and the network will be designed to cater for future increased demand from consumers and business.
I am informed by the commercial operators that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 48,800 premises to date in County Limerick with over 14,800 more expected to be served by commercial investment. Approximately 33,900 premises in Limerick will be covered either by further commercial investment or the proposed State intervention.
Over 40 responses were received following the publication of the NBP proposed Intervention Strategy in July last. Non-confidential versions of these submissions are being published and can be accessed at www.Broadband.gov.ie.
Meanwhile, my Department continues to review the technical and financial detail relating to potential new commercial investment proposals with a view to updating the intervention area Map.
I expect to proceed to formal procurement before the end of the year.
The Government is determined to ensure that the network is built out as quickly as possible and engagement with industry stakeholders has indicated that this could be achieved within 3-5 years of the contract award.
In this context, the NBP proposes that through the combination of commercial investment and State intervention, 85% of addresses in Ireland will have access to high speed services by 2018 with an ambition of 100% coverage by 2020.
