Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 November 2018
27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made between his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in removing the barriers which would impact the roll-out of fibre broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46138/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment through a number of mechanisms to ensure barriers are removed to the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was established in July 2016 arising from the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to identify solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits. An Implementation Group, which I currently chair, oversees the implementation of all identified actions. The work of the Implementation Group is co-ordinated by senior officials from my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Quarterly progress reports on the work of the Implementation Group are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website.
The Implementation Group has made significant progress identifying and working to mitigate potential barriers to the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. Officials from my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment work together on a number of sub-groups that support the Implementation Group’s work programme. For example, one of these sub-groups is examining the feasibility of using State and publicly owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
In addition, the Department of Rural and Community Development organises regular Regional Action Group meetings across the country. The purpose of these meetings is to bring together Local Authority Broadband Officers and other stakeholders to discuss issues that may impact upon the roll-out of essential telecommunications infrastructure. The Group currently meets on a monthly basis and has successfully facilitated the sharing of ideas and local knowledge, as well as providing a valuable networking opportunity for Broadband Officers.
The Department has further supported Local Authorities as they prepare for the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan through a number of initiatives such as an annual subvention to each Local Authority to support the role of Broadband Officers, the creation of the Digital Innovation Programme which has approved funding of more than €500,000 for Local Authority led digital projects this year, and the provision of match-funding for Local Authorities who are successful under the EU's WiFi4EU programme.
