Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 414: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans there are for the provision of broadband services to County Kerry, particularly to the larger urban centres in the county. [1413/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an indicative €200 million of Government and ERDF funding is being invested, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the creation of high-speed open-access broadband networks and fibre trunks. These facilities will remain in State ownership while allowing the service providers open access at competitive costs.

The first phase of my Department's regional broadband programme, in which metropolitan area networks, MANs, are being built in 26 towns and cities is nearing completion. In the second phase of the programme, MANs will be built in a further 92 towns of with a population of 1,500 and over, in association with the local authorities. Of the first 35 towns to be approved under this second phase, six are located in Kerry. They are Castleisland, Dingle, Kenmare, Killarney, Listowel and Tralee. These projects will begin construction this summer.

For rural communities and smaller towns, my Department's group broadband scheme offers funding assistance for community groups to come together with the service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their area using the most appropriate delivery system, such as satellite, wireless, digital subscriber line, DSL, or cable. Up to 55% funding is available towards capital costs under the scheme.

Full details of the regional broadband programme and group broadband scheme are on my Department's websites, www.dcmnr.gov.ie and www.gbs.gov.ie.