Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has sought or received any explanation directly or through the regulator as to the reason the provision of high speed broadband here is lagging behind most European competitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34501/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 138: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has sought or received information directly, through the regulator or from industry regarding the need for the rapid provision of broadband services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/05]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 164: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the areas in respect of which the greatest progress has been made in the past 12 months in the provision of high speed telecommunication services, including broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34510/05]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 138 and 164 together.

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. The principal reason for the slow roll out of broadband services generally has been the slower rate of investment by the private sector in the necessary infrastructure to deliver broadband to all areas. The Government is addressing the local infrastructure deficit by building high speed open access metropolitan area networks, MANs, in 120 towns and cities nationwide on a phased basis, in association with the local and regional authorities. Phase one of this programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country, which were built on time and under budget.

This programme has been extended to a further 90 towns in various locations nationwide. Design and procurement has already commenced in several regions and construction is due to start early in 2006. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These metropolitan area networks will allow the private sector to offer world class broadband services at competitive costs.

My Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities to become self sufficient in broadband through the county and group broadband scheme. The scheme is technology neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area, with each application being assessed by the Department's technical advisers. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this programme.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide every school in the country with broadband by the beginning of 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources' wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The construction-installation phase is now under way and the project is on target for completion within the set timeframe.

The ranking of Ireland against other European countries reflects the late launch of competitive, affordable broadband by private broadband service providers in Ireland and a slow take up by consumers. However, Ireland's rating is improving. According to recent EU Internet statistics, there are over 2 million Internet users in Ireland. This represents user growth of 163% in the last four years and a market penetration per population of 51.2%, which compares favourably with the EU average of 48.9%. Irish broadband prices are now below the EU average and this should have the effect of further stimulating demand.