Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes any policy changes or directives with a view to achieving a more rapid delivery of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20061/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes any policy changes or directives with a view to achieving a more rapid delivery of broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 217 together.

In March 2004, my predecessor issued a number of policy directions to the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, relating to competition, broadband, wholesale and retail line rental, interconnection-leased lines and national and cross-border roaming. The number of broadband customers is increasing rapidly, and has now passed 160,000, an increase of over 400% in just over a year. ComReg lists 169 service providers offering Internet access in Ireland, and I am satisfied that this indicates a healthy growth in the broadband market here. The rate of broadband uptake is dependent on a combination of factors. These include access by the private sector service providers to suitable infrastructure, as well as competition between broadband service providers and demand conditions for broadband in the economy. The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities, and offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self-sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme, which has already attracted 129 proposals covering over 500 communities. The provision of broadband to all primary and post-primary schools in the country is now under way and will be completed by the end of this year. Full details of the regional broadband programme can be found on my Department's website, www.dcmnr.gov.ie.