Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the accelerated provision of broadband services necessary for the economic well-being of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26963/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the communications market in Ireland is fully liberalised and that the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, is the statutory body with responsibility for regulatory oversight of this market.

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. 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.

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. These networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs.

My Department offers funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities through the County and Group Broadband Scheme (GBS). The GBS initiative is continually under review to ensure that it is supporting the private sector rolling out broadband services to new locations.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date in the provision of broadband in County Louth, and in particular to detail any problem in the provision of broadband; if he will comment on the problem in Monasterboice and any other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26693/06]

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).

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.

Twenty-seven MANs are now completed under Phase One, including Dundalk and Drogheda in County Louth. The second phase of the programme involves the building of MANs in over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the private sector. Ardee is one of five towns included as part of the North East Phase Two rollout. The works contractor has recently been appointed and construction is about to commence. The estimated completion date for these networks is quarter two 2007.

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.

There were two group broadband schemes projects approved for County Louth and these cover the areas of Omeath, Ravensdale, Kilcurry, Knockbridge, Faughart, Ballymascanian, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Rampark, Giles Quay and Clogherhead, Termonfeckin, Grangebellow, Waleshestown.

These projects represent a total capital investment by the Internet service providers of over €330,000 in Co. Louth and a total of over €150,000 in grant aid was approved to implement these projects. These projects will cover 14 communities with a population of over 7,800.

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. It currently lists eleven service providers in Monasterboice offering broadband by either wireless or satellite means.

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 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.