Thomas Byrne
Ceist:405. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be supplied to an area (details supplied). [20650/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAbbey Theatre
Ceisteanna (405)
Freagraí scríofa
The premises referenced by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State-led Intervention under the NBP.
This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the contract close, including the finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (406)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:406. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of broadband in south County Kildare; and the progress of the national broadband plan. [20670/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high-speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour-coded and searchable by address/Eircode:
- The AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high-speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high-speed Broadband through a State Intervention.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high-speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high-speed broadband in South Kildare has increased by 5,274, a 21 percentage point increase. Of the 39,059 premises in South Kildare, 30,867 or 79% now have access to high-speed broadband. Another 300 will be served by eir under that company’s ongoing rural deployment.
The remaining 7,892 premises in South Kildare will receive access to high-speed broadband through the State intervention.
This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the contract close, including the finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 400.
National Broadband Plan Implementation
Ceisteanna (408)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:408. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband will be extended to a property (details supplied) under the State-led intervention under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20698/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
The National Broadband Plan intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May. The company established to deliver the NBP is called National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The Government decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to NBI, subject to the completion of the final contract arrangements. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after contract signature.
In the first year of this roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. A deployment plan will be made available by the bidder once the contract is signed. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by end of the second year of the overall deployment, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (409, 410, 411, 412)
Robert Troy
Ceist:409. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of efibre broadband, with specific regard to a location (details supplied). [20728/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:410. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of efibre broadband, with specific regard to a location (details supplied). [20729/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:411. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of efibre broadband, with specific regard to a location (details supplied). [20730/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:412. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of efibre broadband, with specific regard to a location (details supplied). [20731/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 to 412, inclusive, together.
These premises referenced by the Deputy are in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State-led Intervention under the NBP.
This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the contract close, including the finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Question No. 413 answered with Question No. 393.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (414)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:414. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high-speed broadband access will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20766/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are 4 premises in the townland of Ballycurraghan, Co. Kildare. All 4 fall within the AMBER area of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, and fall within the State-led Intervention.
The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State-led Intervention under the NBP.
This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the contract close, including the finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (415)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:415. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high-speed broadband access will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20767/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high-speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour-coded and searchable by address/Eircode:
- The AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high-speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high-speed broadband through a State-led intervention.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high-speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
There are 16 premises in Laragh, Co Kildare. 31% (5) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State-led Intervention. 69% (11) of premises are in a LIGHT BLUE area and fall to be served by eir's rural deployment.
For those premises in the Amber or State intervention area, this intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the completion of the final contract arrangements. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (416)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if and when high-speed broadband access will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20769/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high-speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour-coded and searchable by address/Eircode:
- The AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high-speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high-speed broadband through a State-led intervention.
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high-speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
There are 23 premises in the townland of Killeighter, Co Kildare, all of which fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State-led Intervention.
The National Broadband intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to the contract close, including the finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community-based high-speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
National Broadband Plan Funding
Ceisteanna (417, 418)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:417. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan will be on or off balance sheet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20797/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Cowen
Ceist:418. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the amount of private equity that will be provided to the national broadband plan; if his attention has been further drawn to the amount of private debt that will be provided to the national broadband plan; his views as to whether it is likely these figures will change up to when the contract is signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20799/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together.
The overall estimated project cost is circa €5bn (ex-VAT) over 25 years. This will be made up of the State Subsidy and funding from the Bidder and commercial revenues.
Subsidy will not be paid to National Broadband Ireland until after houses are passed and connected.
That procurement process has now determined that the maximum possible cost to the state will be €3 billion over 25 years (including VAT and contingency), with a requirement on National Broadband Ireland to continue to operate the network for a further 10 years with no further subsidy paid by the State.
Based on the success of the project in terms of managing costs, speed of deployment and end user take-up, the cost could be at least €1bn less but cannot be more.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) carries all the risk of providing the remaining €2.4 billion to cover future costs.
NBI is ultimately responsible for €2.4 billion of the costs, whether this comes from commercial revenues, equity or working capital.
The bidder will initially invest a minimum level of up to €220m including equity funding to cover working capital requirements.
The Bidder’s equity will be invested ahead of the Government subsidies thereby placing this investment at risk first. The subsidies funded by the State are being provided to cover the costs of passing and connecting rural homes. These are paid retrospectively and only on achievement of milestones set out in the contract.
The Bidder will also bear the risk of having to provide additional equity injection requirements over the life of the project (e.g. for further capital expenditure) and particularly in the initial years where consumer subscriptions are not in line with the Bidder’s own targets to ensure their contractual commitments are met.