Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the broadband plan for rural Ireland; the details of the broadband officers for county councils nationwide; the mechanisms which may help persons who cannot get high speed broadband to the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42446/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery home, farm, school and business in Ireland will have access to high speed broadband – no matter where they are located – following the Government’s decision to approve the appointment of a preferred bidder to the National Broadband Plan.
Since the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The Bidder will commence the deployment of the network shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment. A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed.
In the first year of roll out, approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed in each county. Broadband Connection Points 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 by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.
My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.
Broadband officers are based in local authorities around the country. The role of the broadband officer is to provide a local point of contact for telecoms operators and the public regarding telecoms issues. They will also play the leading role in their local authorities as the National Broadband Plan is rolled out. A list of the broadband officers is maintained by the Department of Rural and Community Development and can be accessed via https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/List-of-Broadband-officers.pdf
