Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I expect that, increasingly, all Deputies will be concerned about the availability of broadband in their area, whether in rural or urban areas. The national broadband plan is one of the largest infrastructural projects in the history of the State. It is one over which I have some oversight and about which I am very optimistic. I think the fundamentals for this project are much stronger than they were when it was launched.

The Deputy asked about Cork North-Central and when the plan is due to be implemented there. I refer him to the National Broadband Ireland, NBI, website. I have requested that NBI provide more data for people who have exactly this question because up to now, it has indicated just at some point in the future, beyond two years, but times are narrowing and becoming accurate for each area. The Cork North-Central area covers a number of deployment areas, each of which is coming in at a different time. The country is divided into 227 deployment areas. In Cork North-Central, Midleton is one of the first and has a completion date of 2022. Fermoy, which covers areas of Bridestown, Glenagoul, Raheen Cross, Knocknacurran and Tinageragh, is intended for 2024, while Templemartin, including Inniscarra, Carrigyknaveen, Carrigrohane, Coolatubbrid and Magoola, is intended for completion in 2024. Grenagh, which is the final deployment area, is intended for 2026. They are the specific areas and their expected times.

In the meantime, we are deploying broadband connection points, which allow people who need access to broadband to get it in a public area. Beyond that, we are also connecting primary schools. Every primary school in the country will be connected to high-speed broadband by the end of next year. Specifically, in Cork North-Central, Courtbrack community centre and Whitechurch community centre are live broadband connection points. If the Deputy has other ideas for where there could be broadband connection points, he might contact my office and I will be happy to try to advance them. I also have a copy of the list of schools in the area that are live and those that are due to be live soon.

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