Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021
147. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when broadband will be rolled out to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56729/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBroadband 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. My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education 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 the end of 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) estimate that 200 schools will be installed by the end of this year with all 679 schools connected by end 2022. Two schools have already been installed under this initiative in County Roscommon. While the anticipated date for installation at the school referred to in the Question had been Q4 2021, NBI has now informed my Department that due to complexities in the technical design which are being worked on presently, the revised installation date is Q1 2022.
