John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 155: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the next call of a scheme will be opened with regard to the provision of broadband in Ballymote, County Sligo, in view of the huge interest by the residents and businesses in Ballymote and in view of the application which will shortly be lodged by the Border Regional Authority with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8622/06]

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.

My Department administers a group broadband scheme which is designed to promote the roll out of broadband access through the establishment of sustainable broadband services in towns, villages, rural hinterlands and under-served areas of larger towns on the basis of local and regional authority co-ordination and community driven initiatives. It is my intention to hold a third call of the group broadband scheme and my officials are currently finalising the application procedure and documentation. I expect to be in a position to formally launch the third call shortly.