Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2019
16. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of discussions he has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to broadband provision in rural areas; the progress of the provision of a map of black spots in mobile coverage undertaken by the mobile telephone and broadband task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43786/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my role as Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development I work across both the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
I also chair the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce which was established in 2016 to identify and overcome obstacles to mobile phone and broadband services ahead of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan. The Taskforce is a cross-Government initiative comprising senior officials from a number of Departments and State bodies. The Secretariat is jointly provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
In my role, I work very closely with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D., and have regular discussions with him regarding broadband provision in rural areas.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has overall policy responsibility for the National Broadband Plan. However, the Department of Rural and Community Development works closely with that Department and with Local Authorities to help prepare rural communities for the roll out of high-speed broadband.
With regard to the mobile phone blackspot map, ComReg has made an online map of outdoor mobile coverage available on its website, www.comreg.ie. This resource provides consumers with information on the quality of mobile services, by operator, across the country. The map was a deliverable of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce.
ComReg also provide information on their website on handset performance, allowing people to make informed decisions on which operator and which phone is best suited to their particular needs.
