Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 21 June 2005, his plans for any future upgrade of the Irish telecommunications infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23060/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications, including broadband, is a matter in the first instance for the private sector companies operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit, in co-operation with the local and regional authorities, by building high speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide, using European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, and Government funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The MANs programme is being rolled out on a phased basis and the 19 networks completed to date have been completed on time and within budget. Work is under way on seven MANs and construction of a further 82 will commence during the next 12 months. Full details of the regional broadband programme can be found on my Department's website www.dcmnr.gov.ie.

For smaller towns and rural communities my Department offers grant aid of up to 55% of set-up costs to enable local groups to become self sufficient in broadband, using the most suitable technology for their area. Under the broadband for schools project, all the 4,200 primary and post-primary schools in the country will be provided with broadband by the end of this year.