Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position held by Ireland in the European league in terms of full availability of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects 100% availability of broadband throughout the country, as is the case in Northern Ireland; if he has identified ways and means to speed up the provision of the technology; his views on whether the utilisation of the various means available through a variety of service providers can achieve the objective much sooner than anticipated, provided that technical or financial obstructions are removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26556/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the time schedule recognised for the provision of 100% broadband services throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26554/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason for the low uptake of broadband at various locations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/06]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 900 households in the greater Stamullen region in County Meath have no access to broadband facilities; if he will bring forward measures to ensure that Stamullen and numerous other rural and urban communities across the country are broadband enabled; the reason he has no plans to make Ireland 100% broadband enabled as has occurred with great success in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26637/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 35, 70, 83 and 120 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, which is regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, using a range of different broadband technologies.

The Government's regulatory and infrastructure policy has supported the private sector developing a competitive, affordable, and rapidly growing broadband market that offers choice of products and providers to Irish consumers and businesses.

Ireland's broadband take-up is growing very strongly. By end-March 2006, there were 322,500 broadband subscribers in Ireland. This is equivalent to almost 8% of the population or about 22% of households. Broadband take-up in Ireland grew by 112% over the twelve months to March. In fact, broadband take-up is continuing to accelerate compared to the 106% growth rate in 2005. This is more than twice the EU broadband growth rate.

It is estimated that there are already well over 350,000 broadband subscribers up to mid-2006, which is equivalent to approximately 8% of the population or one-quarter of households with broadband. This compares to about 3 in 10 households in the EU at the end of 2005.

It is accurate to say that Ireland is currently ranked low in terms of broadband take-up. However, Ireland's low ranking in the 'take-up' league tables reflects the relatively late launch of affordable and competitive broadband services in Ireland by telecoms and cable TV companies in the early 2000s. In contrast, Ireland is now one of the fastest growing broadband markets in the European Union. In fact, broadband take-up has more than tripled to date since I set a target of 400,000 in late 2004.

In a fully liberalised market, my Department does not provide broadband services to customers. Broadband is, in fact, available in almost all parts of Ireland through a combination of DSL, fixed-wireless, cable-TV, and satellite technologies. The availability and pricing of these specific services is a matter for the private companies themselves. The Government is supporting the growth in broadband services throughout Ireland through its telecoms regulation and infrastructure policies.

The combination of telecommunications regulation and competition is driving prices down for the benefit of Irish consumers and businesses. For example, DSL pricing fell by 25% in 2005 and, according to ComReg data, it is now estimated to be about 30% below the EU average. Irish consumers now benefit from the third cheapest entry-level broadband product compared to other EU countries.

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 operators to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

My Department also offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the County and Group Broadband Scheme (GBS). The scheme, which is technology-neutral, subsidises the roll-out of the most suitable broadband infrastructure for a particular area. The most recent call for proposals has now closed and I expect to launch further schemes of this nature shortly. To date, over 150 projects have been approved for funding under this Programme. In relation to the Stamullen region in County Meath, raised by Deputy Lynch, the GBS programme was available to fund broadband infrastructure in that area but no application was received. The GBS initiative is continually under review to ensure that it is supporting the private sector rolling out broadband services to new locations.

My Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie, gives full details of broadband pricing and availability around the country, including DSL, cable, fibre, satellite and fixed wireless technologies. The website also lists the different products on offer and the contact details for each service provider. There is a choice of broadband services that can technically deliver broadband to any customer in Ireland at the moment.

Today, there are almost 70 of these broadband providers, a mixture of DSL, fixed wireless, satellite and cable. They are offering almost 300 different types of broadband products. Wireless broadband technology is improving rapidly. The lowering of equipment prices has made this technology much more attractive of late especially in rural areas that cannot obtain ADSL connectivity. The developments of Wi-Max and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) offer considerable potential for the future.