Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason there is such a low roll-out of broadband services for rural villages in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1746/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Technological advances have brought broadband to the forefront of communications in just a few years but the service providers have not risen to the challenge to deliver the service in all areas. 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 suitable infrastructure. My Department is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building open-access metropolitan area networks, 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. Under phase one of the scheme a MAN was built in Kilkenny.

My Department also administers a group broadband scheme which delivers broadband to many underserved areas. Under this scheme, broadband projects have been approved for Castlecomer, Clough, Moneenroe, Ballyragget, Urlingford, Johnstown, Gatabaun and Callan in County Kilkenny.

My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in all areas, including ADSL, 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.