Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has finalised proposals following gaps in broadband coverage which were being considered by a steering group on foot of the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 21 November 2006; his plans to progress this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5458/07]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the action that has been taken or is expected to be taken to address the issue of the lack of broadband facilities at various locations throughout the country with particular reference to job retention and creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5440/07]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the way he will ensure broadband is available to persons who are not in close proximity to an exchange; his proposals, in the absence of investment by private sector companies in the provision of such a service, to intervene with State funding to ensure an equality of service in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/07]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the process that he announced regarding the delivery of broadband to the last 15% to 20% of the population where it is currently uneconomic for private providers to do so. [5299/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 136, 155 and 165 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). The facilitation of broadband coverage across the entire country 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 scheme which will aim to provide a broadband service to these areas.

This scheme will supersede the Group Broadband Scheme and 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 scheme and work on the design of an appropriate tender will commence in the coming weeks. This scheme will be confined to areas of the country that are not yet served by any broadband service provider, currently thought to be 10-15% of the population.