Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when Kilcullen, County Kildare will be included in the metropolitan area network broadband programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34077/06]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when Castledermot, County Kildare will be included in the metropolitan area network broadband programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34078/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 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, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. 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. Consequently my Department's regional broadband programme aims to address 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.

In planning Phase Two of the MANs programme, a review of the availability of DSL broadband in the regions showed over 90 towns with a population of 1,500 and above that were not being offered a broadband option by the private sector, and these towns have been targeted for the provision of MANs under Phase Two. As Castledermot's and Kilcullen's population in 2002 was under 1,500, they were not considered for a MAN.

My Department also offered funding assistance for smaller towns and rural communities with a population of less than 1,500 people through the Group Broadband Scheme. The scheme is technology-neutral, allowing the community to select the most suitable broadband delivery platform for the area. To date, over 160 projects have been approved for funding under this Programme.

Despite Government investment in broadband deployment in the regions through the regional broadband programme initiatives (MANs and Group Broadband Scheme), there are still 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.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the phone exchange in Oulart and Ballaghkeen, County Wexford will be upgraded to be capable of providing a broadband service in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34454/06]

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. Challenges with regard to the enabling of Eircom exchanges are entirely a matter for Eircom.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on offering grants towards the cost of satellite broadband services for people in areas unable to avail of low cost broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/06]

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.

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. Consequently my Department's regional broadband programme (MANs and Group Broadband Scheme) aims to address the infrastructure deficit.

Despite Government investment in broadband deployment in the regions through the regional broadband programme, there are still 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. Any such options would be technology centred.