John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Some 18.7% of households have broadband. Obviously, there are some roadblocks and the Minister initiated a discussion document in this regard. As I indicated, more than 100 responses were received which are being reviewed by officials in the Department to see how some of the roadblocks can be lifted.

The 27 MANs projects have now been handed over to the people who will manage them. In addition, 575 communities in the group broadband scheme, which is being rolled out, will cover a population of 420,000. The Minister is examining how we can speed up implementation of the broadband project.

The Deputy referred to the privatisation of certain areas. It must be borne in mind, however, that as regards all the broadband areas in which the Government has invested, including the MANs project and the rural areas project, the infrastructure will remain within the Department's control. While people will be allowed to operate the system, the actual infrastructure will be under the control of the Department.

Deputy Crowe raised an important issue earlier. The Eircoms of this world were not prepared to become actively involved in infrastructural development for broadband. The Government decided to do that through the Department and as a result, we have had huge investment in the schools, MANs and rural broadband projects. All that infrastructure will remain under the control of the Department.

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