John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market. The Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructural deficit by building high-speed, open access broadband networks in association with the local and regional authorities. Some 27 metropolitan area networks, MANs, have been completed on time and under budget under phase one of the MANs programme. These completed networks are being managed independently for the State by Enet, the management services entity, and offer wholesale open access to all service providers.

In planning the next phase of the MANs programme a review of the availability of DSL broadband in the regions showed that more than 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and more were not being offered a broadband option by the private sector. These towns were selected for investment under phase two of the MANs programme. A number of regional towns, including Tuam, already had DSL broadband on offer from the service providers, so priority was given to the provision of essential broadband infrastructure in those towns where none existed.

Five towns in County Galway will have MANs constructed under this phase: Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort and Loughrea. The detailed design stage is already under way, project managers have been appointed and construction is expected to begin over the coming months. The cost of the projects in Galway is more than €7 million and the Department will provide grant aid of more than €6 million. These networks should be completed within 12 to 18 months thereafter. Tuam is not part of the current roll-out but may be included in further phases subject to the necessary approvals and Exchequer funding being made available.

Galway County Council has submitted a strong case for a MAN project to be built in Tuam and this is being kept under review. Broadband is available in Tuam. The Department's sponsored website, www.broadband.gov.ie, which facilitates consumers trying to locate broadband service providers in their area, lists 12 Internet service providers offering broadband on digital subscriber lines, DSL, one company offering it via wireless, and 11 satellite broadband providers.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. To date, a total capital investment of €2.19 million has been made in GBS projects in Galway involving a total of €533,000 in grant aid to implement these projects.

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