Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he will take to provide a State controlled broadband and telephone network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33499/06]

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.

I have no plans to establish a State controlled broadband and telephone network.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to extend Eircom's universal service obligation to require it to provide DSL services; his views on whether there should be an obligation on Eircom to provide a broadband service or a reason for line failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33500/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 28 September 2006.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action he is taking to expand the accessibility of broadband outside urban centres in provincial Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33501/06]

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.

However, it has been clear for some time that the private sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. 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. The networks offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

Twenty-seven MANs have been completed under the first phase and are currently being managed by ENet, the Management Services Entity. The second phase extends the programme to over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that do not have a satisfactory broadband offering from the private sector. It is expected that these MANs will be completed during 2006 and 2007.

My Department also administers a Group Broadband Scheme which offers small towns and rural communities of less than 1,500 people the chance to come together with service providers and obtain broadband connectivity for their areas with funding assistance from the Government. There have been two phases of this scheme to date resulting in over 160 projects being approved for funding of €5,890,000. The projects cover over 575 communities with a combined population of over 410,000. The most recent call for proposals has now closed and the question of a further round of financial assistance is under consideration

However, despite these interventions, there will still be some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Options to address the gaps in broadband coverage are currently being considered.