Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
642. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband will be provided to a home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12174/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific premises referred to in the Question is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. Work has already begun and up to date information on deployment activities is now available on NBI’s website www.nbi.ie.
I understand that this premises is very close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network. eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators, as to where they build infrastructure and provide services.
Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind. I appreciate the frustration of the Deputy’s constituent when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic and the individual circumstances referred to. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this commenced earlier this year. Up to date information on deployment activities is available on NBI’s website www.nbi.ie.
