Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of broadband subscribers per 100 people in Ireland; the corresponding figure for each of the EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8095/05]

Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of households in Ireland that have Internet access per 100; the corresponding figure for each of the EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8096/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The total number of broadband subscribers in Ireland now exceeds 130,000. This figure is made up of approximately 114,000 digital subscriber lines, 3,600 leased lines, 6,000 cable, 8,700 fixed wireless and 230 satellite. These and other statistics are on the website www.comreg.ie.

The latest figures shown on the website www.internetworldstats.com show 1.3 million Internet users in Ireland, or 32.8% of the population, an increase of 68% in the years 2000-2005. The penetration figure for the 25 countries of the EU is given as 44.8%.

Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 190: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of telephone exchanges nationwide; the number that have been broadband enabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8097/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that Eircom has 1166 telephone exchanges providing 1.6 million working lines. These exchanges vary in size, providing services to between 200 and 20,000 customers. Of the 1.6 million working lines, 1.44 million have access to DSL — broadband — through 233 enabled exchanges, and this will increase to 1.53 million during the next 12 months.

Some 80% of lines connected to broadband enabled exchanges are capable of supplying broadband services to end-users and Eircom has publicly committed to ensuring that this is increased to 90% in the near term.