Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether the provision of broadband facilities for 2005 is unlikely to meet the targets he set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34502/05]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects Ireland to hit the EU average for broadband penetration in view of the recent OECD statistics on broadband penetration that ranks Ireland 24 out of 30 states; when Ireland will enter the top EU decile for broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34366/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 151 together.

In late 2004, the Government set a target of 400,000 broadband subscribers to be achieved by the end of 2006. Subsequently, broadband subscriber numbers have grown by 75%. The current rate of new take up for broadband is in the region of 10,000 per month and continues to grow across a range of technologies. The Government's broadband target is to be within the top half of EU countries by the end of 2007.

The rate of increase in broadband numbers actually achieved depends on demand for broadband, supply issues relating to current roll out and technological developments. The latest available broadband figures from EUROSTAT relate to 2004, and are now over six months old. They show, however, that Ireland is placed 20th of 26 countries in respect of broadband connections for all enterprises. The figure in respect of large enterprises is 79%, placing Ireland in 16th place. EUROSTAT also reports that 92% of all Irish enterprises have access to the Internet, which is 9th in the table, while for large enterprises the figure for Internet access is 100%.

The level of Internet access for households is 40%, or 11th place in the table, and about 25% of these have a broadband connection. The number of broadband customers in Ireland is increasing rapidly and is now over 170,000, which represents an increase of more than 400% over the January 2004 figure. In 2004, there were over 80 Internet service providers; today there are over 130 companies listed by ComReg, with at least 45 different broadband offerings across a variety of technologies, including DSL, fibre, cable, leased lines and satellite technology. In essence, there are broadband technologies that can deliver broadband to virtually any broadband customer in Ireland right now.

The ranking of Ireland against other European countries reflects the late launch of competitive, affordable broadband by the private broadband service providers in Ireland and the slow take up by consumers.