Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date with the CLÁR broadband projects; the amounts allocated in 2004 and for 2005; the projects currently being funded and developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16673/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2003, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, on behalf of my Department, placed a call for broadband proposals in CLÁR areas. Fifteen centres were identified for a pilot trial of broadband technology in selected industrial estates, business and educational-training centres in the CLÁR regions. Following technical and financial evaluations, 12 locations were identified to receive broadband and grant aid under the CLÁR programme of almost €400,000 supported this rollout in 2004. Boyle, Carlingford, Cootehill, Mohill, Tubbercurry, Lismore, Tulla, Ballycastle, Clifden, Corraun, Carna and Kilcar are benefiting from high speed broadband connections at speeds equal to or better than most current market offerings, using the latest high speed wireless and satellite technologies.

In 2003, following discussions with the BMW regional assembly, my Department agreed to fund, under the CLÁR programme, a wireless based Internet service for three projects covering five locations in CLÁR areas in the BMW region at the rate of 80% —€254,709 — of the total cost. The projects are Dungloe, County Donegal, Killala, County Mayo, Enniscrone, County Sligo, Lanesborough, County Longford and Ballyleague, County Roscommon. At the end of 2004 the three projects were up and running.

In addition, CLÁR and Údarás na Gaeltachta are developing proposals to supply town fibre optic networks to the industrial parks in Belmullet, County Mayo and Dungloe, County Donegal. The projects, expected to cost in the region of €260,000 in total, would be funded on a 50-50 basis. I do not propose to place any further calls for broadband proposal in CLÁR areas as, having consulted with Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, it advised that the county and group broadband schemes run by that Department amply accommodate broadband supply to rural areas.

The objective of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources schemes is to promote the roll-out of broadband access through the establishment of sustainable broadband services in towns, villages, rural hinterlands and under-served areas of larger towns on the basis of local or regional authority co-ordination and community driven initiatives. They are open to all smaller and rural communities of less than 1,500 people. This enables local communities to work with a broadband service provider of their own choice or draw up and implement their own broadband plan, with the aim of launching a broadband service for residents and small and medium sized businesses in their respective areas.