Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
97. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the timetable for the roll-out of broadband in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the details of alternative provisions that have been put in place to facilitate students and persons having to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25106/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the areas of County Cavan which will have broadband infrastructure upgraded in 2020 in view of recent reports that the county is to be prioritised for the rollout of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25037/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed in November last to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties,with steady progress being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as of 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected in December this year.
In Cavan, 3,738 premises have been surveyed to date and network designs completed to deliver the new Fibre to the Home (FTTH) network. NBI crews have started initial works for the build in townlands outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, and Caughoo, in the south of the county.More recently, surveys have commenced in Monaghan with surveyors working in areas such as Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, and Stranooden. Other areas which will be surveyed include Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley. In Meath surveys are due to commence in the areas of Dunboyne and Clonee before the end of the year.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) for schools.
In Cavan, the public will be able to benefit from this service at locations across the county such as Drumavaddy, Templeport, Cornafean, Mullahoran, Glengevlin and Bunnoe Community Centres. In Monaghan, Drumcorrin and Drumgossatt National School will be connected for educational access as part of this initiative, while the public will be able to benefit from this service at locations across the county such as Corduff, Corcaghan, Mullyash, Saint Alphonsus Community Centre, Monaghan GAA centre of Excellence as well as Geraldines GAA Club, Carn and Latton Resource Centre. In Meath, the public will be able to benefit from this service at locations across the county such as Cormeen sports centre, Rathkenny, Boardsmill and Meath Hill community centres, Syddan, Drumree and Castletown GAA clubs. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.
