Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of subscribers under the group broadband scheme; the potential number of subscribers; the targeted take-up under the scheme; the cost to the Exchequer of the scheme; and when the scheme's successor is due to be launched. [5354/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The service providers have advised my Department that just over 7,200 subscribers out of a possible 90,000 subscribers actually availed of a group broadband service. The population covered by the projects is estimated to be around 400,000 people. Grant aid amounting to €5.9 million was offered to the service providers approved under the scheme. To date the service providers have claimed almost €1.4 million in grant aid and this has been paid to them. My Department is constantly encouraging service providers who have not yet lodged their claims to submit them for payment. The onus of responsibility rests with the service providers in this instance.

The facilitation of broadband 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.

A Steering Group comprising officials from my Department and ComReg is currently considering all elements of the proposed National Broadband Scheme and work on the design of an appropriate tender will commence in the coming weeks.