Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when announcements regarding the third round of the group broadband scheme will be made; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of this scheme to smaller communities and in particular in the context of employment generation possibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24330/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department administers a group broadband scheme which is designed to promote the rollout 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 coordination and community driven initiatives.

The most recent call for proposals has now closed and I expect to launch further schemes of this nature shortly.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress that has been made in relation to the provision of broadband access; when broadband access will be made available at locations (details supplied); if there are plans to bring broadband to other areas in Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24411/06]

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).

My Department administers a Group Broadband Scheme which is aimed at grant aiding broadband service providers when establishing services in rural areas with populations below 1,500. Under the second phase of this scheme several broadband projects have been approved for the Tipperary area among which the towns of Newport, Borrisokane and Ballina are included.

The most recent call for proposals has now closed and I expect to launch further schemes of this nature shortly.

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.

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the process available to rural communities to avail of broadband; the procedures to be followed and the funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24431/06]

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).

My Department administers a group broadband scheme which is designed to promote the rollout 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 coordination and community driven initiatives. Full details of the scheme are available on the website www.gbs.gov.ie.

The most recent call for proposals has now closed and I expect to launch further schemes of this nature shortly.