Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of missing the target for the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of rolling-out high speed broadband across Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) contains a number of targets and milestones to be completed by NBI in order to deliver the rollout of high-speed broadband services to all premises in the Intervention Area by 2026. NBI is only entitled to claim the payment of relevant subsidy when the targets and milestones have been met. Subsidy payments are therefore held until NBI meets the milestones set out in the NBP contract.
I stated recently that NBI has informed me that the target for homes passed in 2021 as part of the NBP rollout will be less than originally envisaged. This will have a financial impact in that less subsidy will be paid to NBI this year; the precise amount is uncertain at this stage. This will not impact the overall level of subsidy required for the NBP intervention. Payment of subsidy in 2022 will be linked to the achievement by NBI of milestones under the NBP contract and the 2022 allocation for the NBP will be determined as part of the 2022 Estimates process later this year.
