David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 11 March 2014 regarding the State-led investment aspect of the national broadband plan, when he expects to be in a position to commence the public procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40359/14]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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This issue of broadband arose earlier in a question which I am sorry I missed. I have received complaints from places, such as the outskirts of Fermoy, in particular, Knockraha, which is outside Cork city, where Eircom tells us it is not economically feasible to upgrade the exchange to enable broadband to be provided to the residents, and those who are working from home, in small businesses etc., are finding it extremely difficult. This is urgent. Schools in some rural areas are also finding it difficult. Perhaps the Minister can give us an update.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The question relates to the State-led investment aspect of the plan and when I expect to be in a position to commence the public procurement process.

Under the national broadband plan the Government aims to ensure that high-speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention.

The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and at least 1.6 million of the 2.3 million addresses in Ireland are expected to have access to commercial high-speed broadband services over the next number of years.

Under EU state-aid guidelines, member states cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department to identify those areas that require State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention.

As part of the mapping process, an initial stakeholder consultation on certain technical aspects of the proposed plan was launched in June last with a deadline of 15 September. Some 32 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses are being published today on my Department's website - that was the reference I made earlier to Deputy Moynihan about something happening this week.

I intend to publish shortly the map to which I referred. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area, it means it either currently has, or will in the near future have, access to commercial high-speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future.

A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining state aid clearance.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Could he be more specific as to when these maps will be published to allow the public to see what services they can expect to be available in the homes? When does he expect to be in a position to get EU state aid clearance from the European Commission? Can he give an indicative timetable on that? Can he say a little more about the public procurement process? What kind of timescale is involved in this?

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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On the publication of the maps, I intend that should be done during the course of November. On obtaining state aid clearance, the expectation is that could be obtained during the course of 2015, I hope in the period from the middle to the autumn 2015. Obviously, we are subject to the exigencies of the application process, the detailed information that must be furnished and the interaction that needs to occur. The detailed procurement process the Deputy mentions will then ensue. That must be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder or bidders, and I expect that to happen towards the end of 2015.

It is a complex and ambitious project. It is a key priority for the Government and for my Department. We will conclusively address the connectivity challenges that Deputy Stanton referred to in particular areas. I agree there is frustration and a real need for quality universal broadband services to be available for citizens, business, schools and for all of the services and activities we need to ensure a functioning economy and society.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I ask the Minister his views on the need for high-speed broadband connectivity in schools in rural areas, whether he would agree this should be a priority, and if he has had any consultation with his colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, on this issue.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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On schools, we have essentially completed the project in the secondary school system. That is a significant and important initiative. I have seen it in operation in a number of schools and it is a considerable achievement of my Department and the Department of Education of Skills.

On the primary school sector, I have had some discussions with officials recently. There is a view, because there are far more primary schools across the country some of which are in relatively more remote areas, that we should integrate the plan for extending broadband to primary schools into the national broadband plan rather than have a specified programme for primary schools. I am interested in how to deliver it quickest. It may be the best way to do it. I do not yet have a final view on that and I am interested in Members' input in that regard, but that might be the most efficient and best way to expedite it.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The frustration evident in Deputy Stanton's question brings me back to the points I made earlier. It is time we had a full debate in Dáil Éireann on the broadband strategy and how we go forward. All we have are targets, initiatives and plans, but there is no real impetus down to the schools and communities in rural areas. I call for an urgent debate here with all Members of the Oireachtas, including Seanad Éireann, because this is a crucial issue as we go forward.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The scheduling of debating time is not a matter for me; it is for the Whips. If a debate is what is being suggested, it certainly will not be opposed by me.

I plan to ensure that we have a quarterly report available to the House. Deputy Moynihan and the other Members see targets and dates and perhaps the best way of ensuring the process is structured is to provide a quarterly report, perhaps to the committee. I am open to discussion as to how best we might do that. In order that one is not being told of something occurring in spring, summer or autumn next, at the end of each quarter one would be able to see what happened in that quarter to progress the project and what is planned in the following quarter.

Members will be able to benchmark me against what is outlined in the quarterly report on each occasion. I have no objection to a debate.