Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 213: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when provision will be made for broadband/ADSL connection to the Malin Head area of Donegal following a meeting attended by a company (details supplied) and his Department and an announcement by his Department in June 2005 to allocate funding; the progress in this regard taking into consideration this company's urgent heed for provision of broadband/ADSL to compete effectively and efficiently with its competitors, bearing in mind continued job losses in this part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29633/05]

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

The provision of telecommunications services, 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.

Market forces, and the availability of suitable infrastructure and backhaul, will determine whether a company offers broadband in any area. A principal reason for the slow roll out of broadband services generally has been the lack of investment by the private sector in the necessary infrastructure to deliver broadband to all areas. My Department is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building metropolitan area networks or MANs in 120 towns and cities nationwide, in association with the local authorities, using Government and European Regional Development Fund funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. MANs have already been completed in Gaoth Dobhair and Letterkenny, and MANs for Buncrana and Carndonagh are at the planning stage.

The Government recently directed Departments to examine what could be done to alleviate the employment situation in the county, with particular focus on infrastructure development. Officials from my Department have since met representatives from Donegal County Council as well as local interest groups and are currently examining a number of options. I understand that the company in question attended the launch of the community networked services or CNS project in May 2005. The CNS project is funded by INTERREG IIIa and the International Fund for Ireland. The project is due to be completed in 2006 and further details can be requested from the promoter at its website www.ernact.net.

My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in all areas, including digital subscriber lines, cable, fibre, satellite and fixed wireless. The website also lists prices of the various service levels on offer and contact details for each service provider.