Seanad debates
Tuesday, 10 December 2002
Adjournment Matters. - Communications Technology.
John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue on the Adjournment. While I am disappointed the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources could not be present, I expect the Minister of State, Deputy O'Malley, to respond equally well.
The matter I wish to raise is broadband roll-out in the south-east region. I was surprised to read last Thursday in the national media that the roll-out of broadband in the south-east was in doubt. I was also surprised to read the comments of Mr. Don O'Sullivan, contracts director of the Construction Industry Federation, who also expressed doubts as to the likelihood of the roll-out of broadband in the south-east and other regions taking place on time.
The reports suggested that the Government's stated target, before and after the general election, of achieving the roll-out in 19 regions across the country would not be achieved on schedule. This flies in the face of the recently launched national spatial strategy which clearly states the broadband network is essential as an enabler of economic activity in a range of areas.
The roll-out in the south-east region, including the cities of Waterford and Kilkenny and the towns of Clonmel, Dungarvan, Wexford and Carlow, is particularly important in the light of the recent report placed before the membership of the South-East Regional Authority two weeks ago by Mr. Eoin O'Leary of UCC. He showed projections and analyses of figures which proved the south-east was lagging behind other regions in the State when it came to economic performance and prospects. That is the reason this is all the more important for the south-east region.
I read in the newspapers last Thursday that the South-East Regional Authority, the authority charged with carrying out works in the area, last week issued an e-mail to all those who had tendered to build the broadband network in the south-east stating that, due to overall funding constraints, the SERPANT project would not be among those funded in 2003. It went on to state that it may be among the projects funded in 2004. There was nothing more concrete than this. Different Ministers have since stated in various media that this claim is incorrect. How can the South-East Regional Authority, the body supposed to carry out these works, state this will not happen while Ministers say it will?
In the run-up to and following the general election we were promised that the 19 projects committed to would be carried out on time. It is vitally important for the future development of the south-east that the SERPANT project is carried out according to the timescale originally envisaged. The Minister of State should spell out specifically when the scheme will start and roughly when it will finish. No other information will answer my question.
Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government understands the importance of the availability of communications infrastructure in delivering e-business, e-government and the information society to all parts of the country. The widespread availability of open access, affordable, "always on" broadband infrastructure and services for businesses and citizens is a priority for the Government and the Department. A modern, high speed, low cost communications and broadband network is an essential enabler of economic activity and social inclusion. The provision of this infrastructure and these services is a matter for the private communications companies which operate in the fully liberalised communications market.
Recognising that not all parts of the country are as economically attractive for firms to invest in infrastructure and services due to differing demographics and population densities and cognisant that the global economic downturn has adversely affected operators' ability to invest, the Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to facilitate and accelerate the deployment of advanced communications infrastructure and services which seek to address gaps in communications infrastructure in regional Ireland.
The south-east region has benefited from telecommunications infrastructure investment under previous programmes under the National Development Plan 1994-1999, when EU Structural Funds helped to enhance the existing telecommunications trunk networks and upgrade cable networks in such towns as Carlow, Thurles, Clonmel and Kilkenny. Under the communications and e-commerce measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, approximately €200 million was allocated to telecommunications initiatives to leverage and accelerate investment in competitive advanced information and communications infrastructure and services. A first call for proposals was run in 2000 and on foot of submissions received, nine contracts were signed at the beginning of last year. The projects involved are scheduled to be completed by the end of next year and will entail an overall investment of €160 million in broadband leveraged from grant assistance of approximately €55 million.
The second initiative announced under the national development plan is the national broadband programme. The broadband programme announced in March will involve 19 projects which will lead to the construction of metropolitan area fibre optic networks in towns to link up with the existing backbone network in the country at a projected cost of over €60 million. The town links will facilitate consumers, educational establishments, industry and business and provide "always on" low cost and high speed Internet access which will drive the Government's e-commerce agenda. By reducing the cost of access to fibre rings, it will facilitate the provision of broadband services by a greater a number of operators and the ensuing competition should benefit the end users in the towns concerned. The relevant local authorities, including the South-East Regional Authority, have been asked to enter procurement to establish firm prices for their proposals. I understand the tender process for the civil works for the SERA projects has closed and that a preferred civil contractor has been identified.
The south-east has six of the 19 towns under the aegis of the South-East Regional Authority's SERPANT project: Carlow, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. The Department is finalising the timetable for commencement and funding draw-down with the director of the regional authority. Much preliminary work, including the necessary planning, environmental, design and preparatory work, has already begun in Kilkenny, Waterford and Dungarvan.
The Government is fully committed to this programme and has set aside €62.5 million over 2003 and 2004 for its completion. All 19 centres in the broadband metropolitan area networks project are going ahead. None has been terminated or shelved. The Department intends to make payments this year to a number of local authorities, including the SERA, in respect of advanced design and survey work already undertaken, approved advance build and pre-contract costs.
Now that the funding is in place, the construction stage of the metropolitan area networks is getting under way. My Department will shortly be signing grant agreements with each local or regional authority, including the South-East Regional Authority, enabling all 19 of the projects to commence in 2003. It is anticipated that these projects will be completed within the coming 18 months in line with original programme timelines.
John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the answer. The Minister of State said the work would be carried out within 18 months. It is absolutely vital that it should commence as early as possible. The Minister of State should impress upon the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that the work should start as soon as possible in 2003 if it is to be done in 18 months.