Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have responsibility for the broadband officers who are working very hard. I think what the Deputy is referring to is when they were asked to provide some information on black spots and some of them did not respond. However, at the time they were only just in office and some of them did not know their full role. Since then ComReg has published the map that shows the black spot areas. I have met all the broadband officers and the local authority chief executives on a one-to-one basis since I came into office. I have also met them on a number of occasions at different meetings they have had. I am very happy that the broadband officers are working to ensure that their rural areas are ready.

The national broadband plan is to ensure that the 1.1 million people who are mainly living in rural areas will receive an equality of service in the next seven years when the roll-out happens. The Deputy asked when the contract would be signed. The conditions are being progressed at the moment and I expect it to be signed before the end of this year.

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