Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good and reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the programme for Government for delivery of the national broadband plan, which will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged, particularly around increased levels of remote working. However, ensuring that all premises across the State have access to quality and high-speed broadband can only be achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention under the national broadband plan. As I mentioned, the level of planned commercial investment in the sector is very encouraging. Eir's rural investment in high-speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking. However, the terms of an agreement between the Department and Eir with regard to its plans to provide high-speed broadband to more than 340,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis means that the Department should be provided with roll-out information on a regular basis.

I can confirm that new-build properties or properties such as the Yard enterprise hub in Abbeyshrule, County Longford can be indexed by Eir to the appropriate optical distribution point which will enable a service to be provided by the retail provider. Should the owners experience difficulties gaining connection Eir's new network via one of the retail service providers offering services over it, I request that they email the Department. If the Deputy wishes to send me an email on the matter, I will bring it to the Minister and see if we can get this issue resolved. I thank the Deputy for rasing this very important issue.

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