Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expected progress in the delivery of nationwide high speed, high quality broadband over the next five years; the way in which this will contribute to the creation of job opportunities in all locations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42560/19]
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 network deployment will commence 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 premises 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.
The roll out of the NBP will take place against the backdrop of a significant and rapid transformation in the structure of global and national economies. The NBP State Intervention will benefit jobs and entrepreneurship by improving the financial performance of businesses in the Intervention Area, enabling the formation of new enterprises, allowing businesses to expand and increase employment. Remote working will expand the talent pool available to employers.
