Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the completed projects within Kildare that were proposed under the last national development plan by his Department; the number under construction; the number that have rolled over to the new NDP; the other new proposals that are planned for Kildare under the new NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4286/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Under the 2000-2006 National Development Plan (NDP) investment in Co. Kildare via my Department saw the completion the ESBT (Electricity Supply Board Telecom) backhaul fibre which crosses south Kildare. In addition two group broadband scheme projects in Co. Kildare are currently being rolled out by their respective service providers. Ten Phase 2 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) benefiting Clane, Kilcock, Kildare, Maynooth, Monasterevin, Newbridge, Rathangan, Athy, Prosperous and Kilcullen are likely to be rolled over to the new NDP. Designs are currently being progressed and construction is expected to commence this year, with completion targeted for early 2008. Further phases of the MANs are being considered under the new NDP and it is expected that Co Kildare will, subject to the necessary requirements, benefit from that investment.

The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) has been announced and it will address the issue of the estimated last 10%-15% of the country which, in the absence of public investment and support, might never have access to broadband. All reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in rural areas, including rural Kildare are expected to be met under the NBS. Sustainable Energy Ireland, operating under the aegis of my Department have overseen a number of projects in Co. Kildare focussing on energy efficiency and I have attached as an appendix the details of those projects.

The significant investment proposed in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 is designed to sustain and consolidate the achievements throughout the country and economy, going forward. The investments made through the Communications Marine and Natural Resources Vote across the various areas of responsibility will be deployed in a manner that secures and delivers real value for money. It is not possible to disaggregate the investments down to county level across the various initiatives but it is a fundamental objective of the Plan to ensure balanced regional development in line with the principles of the National Spatial Strategy and on that basis I believe it is fair to say that Kildare will, in line with the rest of the country reap significant benefits from the investments made through my Department.