Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an important question. The document, Realising Our Potential in Rural Ireland, is a comprehensive statement on all the Departments and agencies covering the country outside the major urban centres. It does not just include isolated parts of rural Ireland but also covers the Irish language and investment in capital infrastructure.

The Deputy will be aware that there is a €42 billion capital programme to 2025, which is currently being reviewed. A number of major roads have to be finished, such as one to the northwest, including Sligo, and also to Limerick, Cork and a number of other areas. We also need to cater for future developments with the metro and the possibility of other light-rail systems in various parts of the country.

That is why in addition to all of that capital money, a European Investment Bank office has been opened in Dublin. They are now examining the feasibility of quite a number of major projects as to whether or not they can go ahead, on the basis that there will be an income stream to deal with the loan repayment requirements. That would remove a major section from normal Exchequer funds which would allow for that kind of development to take place.

The Minister of State, Deputy Ring, brought forward the final report of the post office hub working group to the Government. That recommended four pilot projects based on the share value and co-location model of post offices, the approval of which has been granted by the Government. While those projects have not yet been initiated, I expect they are now in the process of being considered.

As Deputy Adams is aware, everybody understands the importance of the national broadband plan. The Minister, Deputy Naughten's Department is very actively engaged in the procurement process for the provision of high-speed broadband services. The timeframe for roll-out depends on a number of factors, including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders during the process. A timeframe of three to five year is envisaged for the roll-out once contracts are in place. A detailed roll-out plan for the network, including a prioritisation programme to target areas of particularly poor service, areas with business needs and areas of high demand, will be published once the contracts are in place. Eir set out certain commitments under the agreement announced by the Minister, Deputy Naughten. It plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. It has committed to completing the roll-out over a 90 week period, passing an average of 500 premises per day. In line with the published agreement there are regular review meetings, the purpose of which is to monitor this roll-out to ensure Eir meets its obligations under the agreement. My understanding is that there will be penalties for Eir if it does not measure up to what it has already agreed, though I like to be updated regularly on the 500 premises that are passed every day. The roll-out for high-speed broadband is a necessary part of the programme.

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