Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if broadband is universally available in South Tipperary; if not, the reason for same; and when it will be available. [27542/06]

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 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator.

My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie lists all service providers offering broadband services in all towns in South Tipperary, and gives contact details for each company, together with prices for the various service levels on offer.

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, including Clonmel. 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. South Tipperary County Council is developing projects in respect of the following towns: Cahir, Cashel, Tipperary and Carrick-on-Suir under Phase Two. The appointment of project managers and works contractors is expected towards the end of this year. Construction on these projects will commence in early 2007, with an estimated completion date of quarter 3 2007.

My Department administers a group broadband scheme which delivers broadband to many underserved areas. Under the second phase of the scheme projects were approved for Fethard, Ardfinnan, Annacarthy, Ballingarry, Ballinure, Clerihan, Ballyneal, Ballypatrick, Ballyporeen, Boherlahan, Burncourt, Cappawhite, Clogheen, Clonoulty, Drangan, Dualla, Gortnahoo, Hollyford, Kilcash, Killenaule, Kilsheelan, Moyglass and Newcastle, South Co. Tipperary.

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.