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Broadband Infrastructure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Ceisteanna (80, 132)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when County Cavan will avail of high-speed broadband throughout the entire county. [40357/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan for County Cavan in 2021; the specific measures that will be implemented to offset the delays that have occurred in the roll-out to date of this essential infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40823/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 132 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.

There are 42,335 premises in County Cavan of which 26,061 are in the commercial area and 16,274 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 21 July 2021, over 236,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cavan, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill. I am advised by NBI that build works in the Cavan area have recently been completed and approximately 3,520 premises are passed by fibre and can order a high speed broadband connection.

While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.

Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan 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 when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties including Cavan at the end of August.

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 21 July, 336 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Bunnoe Community Centre, Mullahoran Community Centre, Glengevlin Community Hall, Templeport Community Centre, Drumavaddy Community Centre, Cornafean Community Centre, Gallonray House, Gallonreagh, Kildallan Parish Hall, Castlerahan Community Centre, Killenkere Leisure Centre and Castle Saunderson Scout Centre.

Kilmore National School, Corlea National School, Saint Patrick's School, Laragh National School, Kildallan National School and Greaghrahan National School are installed 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 this aspect of the National Broadband Plan 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 /nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

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