Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
274. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the communication plan in place to inform elected members in local authorities of timeframes and sequence of implementation of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19915/21]
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 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 Contract places obligations on NBI in terms of stakeholder engagement throughout the duration of the Project. Elected representatives, including those in Local Authorities, are identified as key stakeholders in this regard. As part of its 2021 communications planning, NBI are undertaking regular one-to-one, group and event-based briefings for both local and national elected representatives. These will continue throughout the year and are complemented by email updates, media activity and social media content targeting information at core stakeholders in line with the roll out of connections in the various deployment areas across the country. In addition, NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by elected representatives for specific queries.
Given the strategic importance of this project, my Department will also be engaging with elected representatives over the coming months with a view to providing information on the project roll out in their respective areas.
