Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high speed broadband will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6564/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDelivering high speed broadband to citizens across Ireland remains a firm commitment of mine and of this Government.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. It will therefore be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network roll-out will commence.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task force to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Task force, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
