Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
420. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether rural areas continue to be sidelined in view of the fact that only 58% of households in County Leitrim have broadband access compared to 86% in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10577/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, including those in rural Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
