Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
77. Deputy Holly Cairns 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. [42779/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in my response to Question Number 202 of 13 July last, 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.
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 has yet to be determined. This will not impact the overall level of subsidy required for the NBP intervention.
