Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the group broadband scheme is currently operating; if not when it is intended to recommence the scheme; the way service providers are advised of the scheme; the way projects are evaluated; if a review of investment to date has been carried out; if so the outcome of that review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5592/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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There were two Calls for proposals under the group broadband scheme, one in 2004 and one in 2005. Full details of the scheme and the evaluation criteria are published on my Department's website www.dcmnr.gov.ie. Grant aid amounting to €5.9 million was offered to the service providers approved under the group broadband scheme. To date the service providers have claimed almost €1.4 million in grant aid and this has been paid to them.

The facilitation of broad band coverage across the entire county continues to be a key priority. I am aware that, despite Government and private investment in broadband, there are areas of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. Accordingly, I recently announced a new National Broadband Scheme which will aim to provide a broadband service to these areas. This Scheme, which will supersede the group broadband scheme, will, when it is fully rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in rural areas are met.