Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank both witnesses for their presentations and for the documentation they have made available to us. I will not bother asking about the acceleration. It is important but, clearly, they are not in a position at this stage of the process to answer. Nevertheless, given that there is a commitment in the programme for Government, people naturally want to see it happen.

Covid has had a big impact, resulting in many delays. On the other side of that, it has led to a ramping up of the need for broadband roll-out. There is a need for acceleration, given that more people will be relying on remote working.

I assume it is envisaged that the broadband connection points will continue to be rolled out while the broadband programme progresses. How many connection points are due next year? Is it still the case that people can apply for those connections? Is it envisaged that that will continue for the next while?

Of the 679 schools in the State that will be connected by the end of 2022, is there a breakdown of where they will be or how that has been decided?

A question that I am sure that many Deputies and Senators are asked relates to when someone enters an eircode postcode and is told that he or she is in an intervention area. Many people have asked me when County Roscommon or County Galway, for example, will be rolled out. Mr. Mulligan stated that build work has started in rural parts of Cork, Limerick, Cavan and Galway. Is there somewhere that states when it is coming to Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo? When people look at the website, they want to know when broadband will be provided. I appreciate that it is difficult at this stage, but is a breakdown of the roll-out per county available anywhere? It is also an issue for people who might be considering signing a contract with a private company, if they do not feel that the broadband will come to them quickly enough even though they will be signing up to 12 or 24-month contracts.

I assume that for those people who sign up to a private provider and enter into a contract, broadband will still be made available to them. Where a company is in place and is providing it, will the customer have the option to move on to the national broadband plan when it is rolled out to the area?

For the build work that has started in Cork, Limerick, Cavan and Galway, do the witnesses have any idea how long each phase will take? How long will the build work in each of those areas take to progress to the next area?

In respect of the website, other members asked about the time frame, and of course that is important. The language is also an issue. When people input their Eircode postcode, they may be told they are in an intervention area. People often ask what that means. The website may also state that the premises is pending a survey, and while there is an option to keep oneself up to date, I have found that people read the language and do not know what it means.