Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if local loop unbundling has developed sufficiently and smoothly to the benefit of the consumer; the steps he intends to take or instructions he might give to the regulator or service providers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20839/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. Promotion and regulation of Local Loop unbundling is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg under the Communications Regulation Act of 2002 and the transposed EU regulatory framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to enhance the availability of e-technology to the business and domestic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband, to facilitate the delivery of eCommerce and eGovernment services to domestic and business users, 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 Government recognises however, that a principal reason for the slow rollout of competitive, affordable broadband services in Ireland, principally in the regions, has been a lack of investment by the private sector in the necessary infrastructure.

The Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building high-speed, open-access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in 120 towns and cities nationwide. Phase One of this Programme has delivered fibre optic networks to 27 towns and cities throughout the country. This Programme has been extended to over 90 towns in various locations nationwide. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007. These networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

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, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this Programme.

Furthermore, a joint industry/Government fund of €18 million has been established for the Broadband for Schools Programme, which should provide every school in the country with broadband in 2006. This is a crucial strand in the strategy of integrating ICT into teaching and learning, and in my Department's wider vision of promoting the use of broadband technologies in local communities around the country. The installation phase is now almost complete, with over 90% of all schools broadband enabled.

Broadband subscriber numbers have increased hugely in the last year. The latest ComReg quarterly report states there are 270,700 broadband subscribers as of end-2005. This is equivalent to 6.6% of the population. Home Internet penetration figures currently stand at 18.7% of households. DSL dominates the Irish broadband market (75% market share). However, FWA and Cable are growing very strongly, albeit from a small base. ComReg estimate that there are 320,000 subscribers to the end of the first quarter of 2006.