Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The mobile phone and broadband task force identified the importance of each local authority assigning an officer with responsibility for broadband and mobile services in its respective administrative area to liaise with operators on coverage and the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure. My Department has provided funding for each local authority to support the appointment of an officer with these responsibilities. To date, 29 of the 31 local authorities have appointed a broadband officer. The remaining two local authorities are recruiting and expected to appoint a broadband officer shortly. The manner in which broadband officers are recruited and appointed is a matter for each local authority. Telecommunications providers have widely welcomed the assignment of a single point of contact in every local authority to deal with telecoms infrastructure issues. I have a list of the relevant broadband officers and contact details which I can provide for the Deputy.

The appointment of broadband officers is just one of 40 actions contained in the report of the mobile phone and broadband task force.

The Minister, Deputy Naughten, and I have established an implementation group, which we co-chair, to drive the delivery of the actions in the report. Progress reports from the implementation group will be published on a quarterly basis, and the first report is due shortly.

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