Written Answers Nos. 46-65
46. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeframe for the capacity review within the National Cyber Security Centre; when the centre will report on its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6429/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2019 National Cyber Security Strategy set out a series of measures to further improve and develop the capacity of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
In order to assess the capacity of the NCSC to deliver its objectives as set out in the strategy an external review of the NCSC has been commissioned. The capacity review, which commenced in January 2021, will examine the current organisational structure, staffing, work processes and financing of the NCSC and will benchmark it against international best practice models. Work in relation to the capacity review is on-going and the report of the independent experts is expected early in Q2. The findings of the review will then be considered and will inform decisions to be taken on the future resourcing of the NCSC.
47. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a location (details supplied) in County Cork will be connected under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6437/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues with reliable broadband in west County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a premises (details supplied) will be connected to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7019/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra96. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no broadband is available in Donoughmore, County Cork; and the timeline for the delivery of broadband to the area. [7173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to broadband provision. [7206/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 89, 95, 96 and 98 together.
The Questions refers to premises and an area which are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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.
I appreciate people's frustration 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. 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 is under way.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 26 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. There are some 79,424 premises located in the Intervention Area in County Cork of which 16,132 have been surveyed. Surveys have been completed in Midleton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick, with surveys underway in Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Pre-build works are underway in Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline and construction work is continuing with significant technical testing and validation taking place prior to wider release of the area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 30 January, 260 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 accessible sites and by the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s connected in Cork are Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre (in the area of Donoughmore), Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
48. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that will be taken to protect landowners impacted by the Bord na Móna rewetting programme funded by his Department; if an independent assessment will be carried out in advance of the rewetting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6495/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approval of the Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS) on 24 November 2020 reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a just transition for workers in the Midlands. The scheme includes the provision of funding in the order of €108 million for implementation costs over a period of 5 years.
The scheme will, over time, employ 307 people, some of whom will be engaged on a seasonal basis, with 210 full time equivalents engaged over the delivery period. The scheme encompasses 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna peatlands previously harvested for peat extraction for electricity generation. The scheme will protect the storage of 100 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. It is also estimated that over the period 2020 to 2050, 3.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions will be avoided.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been established as Scheme Regulator to ensure the effective oversight of the rehabilitation and restoration works. Bord an Móna must submit a plan for each bog to both the National Parks and Wildlife Services in respect of this scheme and to the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of works required to meet their Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence obligations. As part of this process, Bord Na Móna will consult with stakeholders and landowners that may be impacted by the scheme.
49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed fibre broadband will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6566/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
My Department has, however, raised a query regarding the premises in question with the service provider to get the current status for this location. As soon as a reply is received my Department will revert to the Deputy with an update.
50. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason projects applying for funding as part of the just transition must now provide 50% in matching funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6598/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Just Transition Fund is to support innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Midlands region, and which have employment and enterprise potential.
My Department held a competitive call for applications to this Fund, which closed on 17 July 2020, in response to which over 100 applications were received. Provisional offers have now been made to 63 projects, of which 16 have already concluded funding agreements with my Department. Further information on these projects is available on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund.
Of the remaining projects, for which funding agreements are being finalised, a number have been subject to a further state aid assessment to finalise the level of funding that may be granted. These projects have been informed of the outcome of this assessment and have been requested to provide further financial information to my Department.
Subject to satisfactory verification of this additional information and the provision of additional relevant material, such as proof of planning permission, my Department intends to issue final letters of offer and funding agreements to all provisionally approved projects. No formal funding commitments will be entered into by my Department unless and until a final letter of offer and funding agreement has been concluded by both the Department and the relevant project.
As set out in the Department’s information booklet for its call for applications, all projects must include a minimum of 15% match funding from sources other than the Just Transition Fund; that is the Fund will provide support up to a maximum of 85% of the project costs, subject to project compliance with state-aid rules. Where state aid rules apply, the Department is working directly with all affected projects to support them in fulfilling the relevant requirements.
51. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan regarding offshore islands; if work has commenced on analysing the needs of the islands and on surveying; when the roll-out of the plan will commence on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6639/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which includes the islands and covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced 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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed under the National Broadband Plan. Surveying is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This informs design solutions for provision of the fibre network to each and every premises in the surveyed area and leads to detailed designs. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. I understand that surveying is expected to commence in a number of islands later this year.
Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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. As of 30 January, 260 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 accessible sites and by the Department of Education for schools. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP which includes the Islands. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
The following table sets out the BCP sites that have been installed, connected or are in planning on the Islands.
|
Site Name |
Eircode |
County |
Installed |
Connected |
School |
|
CLARE ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE |
F28KP99 |
MAYO |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
|
BERE ISLAND HERITAGE CENTRE |
P75W660 |
CORK |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
|
SHERKIN ISLAND COMMUNITY HALL |
P81AE02 |
CORK |
Yes |
In Planning |
- |
|
COLÁISTE PHOBAL CLÉIRE |
P81P627 |
CORK |
Yes |
In Planning |
- |
|
SCOIL CAOMHAIN |
H91C967 |
GALWAY |
Yes |
In Planning |
Yes |
|
COMHAR NA NOILEÁN |
H91D27X |
GALWAY |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
|
INISHBOFIN COMMUNITY CENTRE |
H91TC6C |
GALWAY |
In planning |
In Planning |
- |
|
KILRONAN LIBRARY |
H91WN93 |
GALWAY |
Yes |
In Planning |
- |
|
Cable Station |
V23H685 |
KERRY |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
|
TORY CO-OP |
F92FD66 |
DONEGAL |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
|
CHAPELTOWN |
V23H240 |
KERRY |
Yes |
Yes |
- |
52. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Wicklow in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6640/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Dublin in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6641/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Meath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6642/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Tipperary in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6643/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Galway in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6644/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Roscommon in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6645/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Longford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Westmeath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6647/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Offaly in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6648/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Waterford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6649/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Leitrim in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6650/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Sligo in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6651/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Cavan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6652/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Monaghan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6653/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Donegal in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6772/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Mayo in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6773/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Clare in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6774/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Kerry in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6775/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Limerick in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6776/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Cork in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Wexford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6778/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Carlow in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6779/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the areas of County Kilkenny in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6780/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 65, inclusive, and 70 to 78, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced 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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed under the National Broadband Plan. The following table sets out those areas where surveys have been completed or surveys are underway in each of the counties referenced in the Questions.
|
County |
Surveys Completed/Surveying Underway |
|
Carlow |
Downings, Ballymurphy, Coppenagh, Killerig, Friarstown, Slaney Quarter, Kilmagarvoge, Muinebheag, Ballinkillen, Garryhill, Knockdrumagh, Drumphea, Coshill, Borris, Ballyphenan, Ballymurphy, Tinnecarrig, Goolin, Ballyling, Glynn, St Mullins, Hollybrook, Myshall, Lismaconly, Cappawater. |
|
Cavan |
Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun, Erne Hill. |
|
Clare |
Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas, Cloghrea, Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Broadford, Clontra. |
|
Cork |
Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount, Caherbarnagh. |
|
Donegal |
Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin, Tommyscroft. |
|
Dublin |
Areas around Fingal, Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Clonsilla, Ongar, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Cabra, Bluebell, Finglas, Skerries, Balbriggan. |
|
Galway |
Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Furbo, Barna, areas around Ballinasloe (including Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell and Ahascragh), Inverin, Spiddal, Bealadangan, Costelloe, Rossaveel, Derroe, Carraroe, Sruthan, Loughrea, Kilnadeema, Kilchreest, Clostoken, Carrabane, Bullaun, Kilreekill, Heathlawn. |
|
Kerry |
Townlands around Killarney (including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar), Tralee, Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine, Ardfert, Rathmore, Knocknacopple, Mounthorgan, Kilquane Upper, Barraduff, Cloonteens, Gneevgullia, Tureenamult, Renasup, Castlegregory, Aughacasla, Camp, Knockbrack, Maum, Lougher, Inch, Annascaul, Derrygorman, Ballyglasheen, Brackluin, Ballintarmon, Drom, An Clochan, Kilshannig, Fahamore, Candeehy, Breanainn, Ballyheigue, Glenderry, Ladywell, Banna, Lerrig, Ballymacandrew, Causeway, Foxfort, Ballymacaquinn, Ballincloher, Dromartin, Beenconeen. |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny, Grevine, Creenkill,Castlewarren, Cellarstown, Bennetsbridge, Brownstown, Drumerrin, Kilcreen, Lyrath, Tullowglass, Tullaroan, Dicksborough, Sheepstown, Templemartin. |
|
Leitrim |
Areas around Carrick-on Shannon.Tullybeg, Leitrim Village, Mong, Foxborough, Lismannagh, Drumsha, Clogher, Drishoge, Lisnagat. |
|
Limerick |
Killalee, Caherline, Ballynanty, Pallaskenny, Toreen, Old Kildimo, Askeaton, Adare, Croagh, Rathkeale, Kilfinny, Croom, Ballingarry, Patrickswell, Crecora, Banogue Cross, Granagh, Lees Cross, Ballykennedy. |
|
Longford |
Drumlish, Ennybegs, Moat Farrell, Cullyfad, Longford Town, Newtownforbes, Cloondara, Stonepark, Ardagh, Moydow, Kilashee. |
|
Mayo |
Aghagower, Ballyhean, Breaghwy, Burren, Castlebar, Clogher, Cloonkeen, Croaghmoyle, Islandeady, Killavally, Manulla, Pontoon, Strade, Tawnynagry, Turlough, Drumsheen, Bunnyconnellan, Ballina Town, Carrowntreila, Ardagh, Campbells Crossroads, Rosserk, Shanvoley, Derryhick, Kilhale, Tawnylaheen, Turlough, Ballyvary, Keeloges, Castlebar Town, Rinnaseer, Bellaburke, Killawullaun Mountain, Carn, Carnacon, Ballyglass, Belcarra, Balla, Ringarraun, Newport, Carrowbeg, Inishgort, Inishcottle, Myna, Fahy, Ashbridge, Glenisland, Srahmore, Glenhest, Comploon, Slogger, Tawnameeltoge. |
|
Meath |
Gormanstown, Stamullan, Kilbride, Kilcloon, Clonee and Dunboyne. |
|
Monaghan |
Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, Stranooden, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley, Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore, Clonooney. |
|
Offaly |
Brosna, Shinrone, Mount Heaton and areas close to the county boundary with Tipperary. |
|
Roscommon |
Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky, Fourmilehouse. |
|
Sligo |
Ballintogher, Ballysadare, Calry, Carney, Collooney, Drumcliff, Kilmacowen, Rosses Point, Rahaberna, Lisduff, the outskirts of Sligo town, Clogherevagh, Tobercurry, Ballymote, Sligo Town, Enniscrone, Aghamore Near, Carrowcrin, Strandhill, Culshera, Kilmactranny. |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary (and the surrounding townlands of Aherloe, Ballinalard and Bansha), Roscea, Cashel, Townspark, Boherlahan, Goolds Cross, Knockavilla, Garrenroe, Camus Bridge, Golden, Shanballa, Dogstown, Racecourse Cross, Rosegreen, Knockbrett, Mayfield, Boscobell, Dualla. |
|
Waterford |
Waterford, Ballinakill, Cheekpoint, Waterford City, Passage East, Kilmeaden, Dunmore East, Tramore. |
|
Westmeath |
Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown, and Athlone |
|
Wexford |
Castle Ellis, Kilbride, Ballyhuskard, Bridgetown, Whitechurch, Taghmon, Ballykelly, Barntown, Castlebridge, Bunclody, Clohamon, Kilmyshall, Ballyroebuck, Ballybeg, Tombrack, Ferns, Ballycarney, Castledockrell, Kiltealy, Ballindaggan, Templeshanbo, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Davidstown, Courtnacuddy, Rathnure, Killann, Caim. |
|
Wicklow |
Powerscourt, Kilmacanoge, Calary, Greystones, Newcastle, Delgany, Killiskey, Glenealy, Kilcoole, parts of Roundwood, Townlands in Blessington Area, Lackan, Lugglass, Hollywood, Rathdrum, Redcross, Tigroney, Bardarrig, Cloghogue, Johnstown, Templerainey, Barranisky, Brittas Bay, Three-Mile-Water, Ballykippogue, Kilcoole, Blainroe, Tubbervilla, Glenealy, Hawkstown, Dunbur, Wicklow Town, Rathnew. |
Surveying is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This informs design solutions for provision of the fibre network to each and every premises in the surveyed area and leads to detailed designs. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. Pre-works involve construction of new duct routes, erection of poles, building chambers and tree trimming. On completion of these pre-works, the main construction works can commence. This involves deploying fibre overhead on poles and in underground ducts, splicing of fibre, and unblocking of ducts. Once the main construction works are completed and the appropriate level of testing has been undertaken, the fibre network can be commissioned and end users can order their connection. In general, this end to end process can typically take between 15 and 18 months.
Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
