John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The State is providing funding for the roll-out of broadband. As outlined, the MANs project is going to 120 towns and cities nationwide, with phase 1 completed and phase 2 under way. The Government-funded schools broadband project will be completed this year. The county and group broadband scheme is grant-aided by the Government and my Department.

We are disappointed in the response from the private sector and that is why the Department got involved and provided substantial sums of money for the three projects I have named.

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