Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures he is currently taking to stimulate public demand for broadband technology. [32441/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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. Those companies compete with each other for business, and promote their products by way of advertising, special offers, etc.

In addition the Government believes that access to ICT is an essential enabler of economic growth and social inclusion, and a number of initiatives are being pursued that are pushing the broadband agenda, including the metropolitan area networks, the broadband for schools project and the county and group broadband schemes, which are helping to bring broadband connectivity to all regions, and helping to encourage a far greater interest in broadband usage.

Following the success of the Intel computer clubhouses in Dublin's Liberties and Blanchardstown, which are aimed primarily at young school leavers aged ten to 18 who have not completed the senior cycle, funding has been made available from the e-inclusion fund for a pilot mobile computer clubhouse project. The 24-week pilot project, which is being overseen by my Department, uses two vehicles that have been specially adapted for use as mobile computer classrooms. A programme of visits is being set out, in association with local community groups, voluntary bodies and area partnerships, to bring the mobile computer clubhouses to areas that have been identified as having a lower level of computer and internet penetration. Considerable interest is being shown in the project, and it is hoped that further funding can be sourced to enable the project to be extended.

The mobile computer clubhouse will serve the needs of persons of all age groups who desire access to broadband and computing, but who lack the means to access it. The pilot scheme is being used to determine the areas of greatest need, and to develop a curriculum that best serves those needs. My Department is also developing an advertising campaign that will advise and inform the public on broadband usage and ICT generally.