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

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for this question which I am very happy to answer.

The Government of Ireland's national digital strategy, NDS, Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework, is helping to drive the digital transition across the economy and society. Its ambition is to make connectivity available to everyone, including through the national broadband plan, remote working hubs and broadband connection points, with a target of having all Irish households and businesses covered by a gigabit network not later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G not later than 2030.

The latest quarterly key data report, QKDR, published by ComReg on 8 March 2023 shows that fixed broadband subscriptions increased to 1.61 million, a 2.2% increase year on year. Of these, 57% have download speeds greater than 100 Mbps.

The national broadband plan, NBP, is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland, NBI, under a contract, signed in November 2019 by the former Minister, Deputy Bruton, which came into effect in January 2020. The contract provides for the roll-out of a high-speed and future-proofed broadband network within the intervention area, which covers 1.1 million people, 560,000 premises, 100,000 businesses and farms, and 679 schools. I am advised by NBI that, as of 14 April 2023 more than 147,600 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties. Of those, 135,500 premises passed are available for immediate connection.

Eir has committed to rolling out fibre to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO has passed more than 470,000 premises with gigabit services and has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 300,000 premises. Virgin Media plans to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises. The network operators and telecom service providers across the State continue to invest in their networks.

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