Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the towns in County Galway which have been approved for infrastructural works (details supplied); the extent of the works involved; when works will commence; the estimated cost of the installations; when works will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/06]

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide fibre optic broadband to a town (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11991/06]

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason he has not given approval to a proposal from Galway County Council (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11992/06]

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason his Department is not giving support to the aims of the national spatial strategy in regard to the areas of infrastructural development for which he has responsibility, his lack of support as manifested by his refusal to approve a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11993/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 232, inclusive, 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 Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, the independent regulator.

Broadband is currently available in Tuam. My Department's sponsored website, www.broadband.gov.ie, which facilitates consumers trying to locate broadband service providers in their area, lists 12 Internet service providers offering broadband on digital subscriber line, DSL, one company offering it via wireless and eleven satellite broadband providers.

It has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband, so my Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These metropolitan area networks, MANs, will allow the private sector to offer world class broadband services at competitive costs.

A total of 27 MANs have been completed on time and under budget under phase one of this programme. These completed networks are being managed independently for the State by e-net, the management services entity, and offer wholesale open access to all service providers.

In planning the next phase of the MANs programme, a review of the availability of DSL broadband in the regions showed that over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that were not being offered a broadband option by the private sector. These towns were selected for investment under phase two of the MANs programme. A number of regional towns, including Tuam, already had DSL broadband on offer from the service providers, so priority was given to the provision of essential broadband infrastructure in those towns where none existed.

Five towns in County Galway will have MANs constructed under this phase. They are, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Clifden, Gort and Loughrea. The detailed design stage is already under way. Project managers have been appointed and construction is expected to start over the coming months. The total cost of the projects in Galway is over €7 million and my Department will be providing grant aid of over €6 million. These networks should be completed within 12 to 18 months thereafter. Tuam is not part of the current rollout but may be included in further phases subject to the necessary approvals and Exchequer funding being made available. Galway County Council has submitted a strong case for a MAN to be built in Tuam and this is being kept under review.

The Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities 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. To date, a total capital investment of €2.19 million has been made in GBS projects in Galway involving a total of €533,000 in grant aid to implement these projects.

A joint industry-Government fund of €18 million has been established for the broadband for schools programme, which will provide schools across the country, including Galway, with broadband during 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning, and the Department's 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.