Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
17. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the implementation of the National Broadband Plan in Dún Laoghaire; the delays that are expected as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43720/21]
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 majority of premises in Dun Laoghaire are covered by commercial operators. There are over 600 premises in Dun Laoghaire located in the NBP Intervention Area which are covered by the Enniskerry Deployment Area. Surveying is underway in these areas and it is anticipated that they will be provided with access to high speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan in 2023.
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. 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 for 2021. The impact on future years continues to be assessed. NBI is putting in place mitigation measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the programme to date. These include
- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month
- Bringing in more resources to NBI
- Purchasing more materials earlier
- Bringing in more subcontractors
These measures are helping to address delays and ensure that the National Broadband Ireland's build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
I understand that commercial operators in Dun Laoghaire are also continuing to upgrade their broadband networks as part of ongoing work.
