Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the availability in terms of potential subscribers in respect of broadband throughout the Country; the number to date connected; the extent to which there are waiting lists; the intention to meet these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33552/06]

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. Data used by the EU and the OECD for broadband comparison purposes defines a subscriber as a household. It is estimated that there are approximately 1.4 million households in Ireland and each household is a potential subscriber. Connecting households to a broadband service is entirely a matter for broadband service providers.

Under the Regional Broadband Programme, my Department, in partnership with the Local Authorities, has been facilitating competition in the broadband market by deploying open access fibre metropolitan area networks. These networks have increased competition and have had positive impacts on price, quality and choice of service provider. The majority of towns now have at least one provider offering broadband services. However, it has been clear for some time that there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. I am currently considering options to address the gaps in broadband coverage.

Ireland's broadband take-up is growing very strongly. It is estimated that there were 410,000 broadband subscribers in Ireland by mid September 2006. This means that 29% of households now have broadband. Broadband take-up in Ireland grew by 112% over the first 8.5 months of 2006 and is growing at twice the EU broadband growth rate.