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

I will start with Deputy Ó Murchú. By the end of this year, we will have agreed with NBI what its target is for next year. Some 102,000 is our target for January of next year and we will have agreed a new achievable target by the end of the year. That will involve working with Eir on their make-ready plans. The existing contract is for a seven-year roll out which completes by 2026. If we can do it faster, we will. Our focus in the past year has been on getting it back on track. We are now delivering the right number that we expected and are moving at scale. If we can do it faster, we will.

At the same time, I need to look at urban black spots and any areas that are not being met. I know there are 8,750 premises to be passed in Deputy Ó Murchú's county, Louth. Of those, 3,200 have been passed and more than 1,000 of those have connected. They only represent a small proportion because most of the homes in Louth will be connected by commercial operators.

Deputy Conway-Walsh asked about people in Mayo who would not be connected until 2026. When one has a seven-year project, that means some people are in years 6 and 7 and are very disappointed to see that. Unless we accelerate the project, it is very difficult to do better. However, it is better to give people that information in order that they can plan, and be honest with them and not promise them that it will be some time in the future, in order that people do know. There are broadband connection points and people can use hubs in community centres. All of the schools in Ireland will be connected in Ireland by the end of the year.

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