Written answers

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

10:00 pm

Photo of Ivor CallelyIvor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the level of infrastructure in place to ensure balanced regional development of information technology and communications; the level of investment here in this sector over the past ten years; the opportunities that such investment has offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5176/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The telecoms market is fully liberalised and regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. In an open market, decisions about investment, the provision of telecommunications services and the development and roll-out of telecommunications technology are primarily a matter for the industry itself.

As Minister with responsibility for policy in this sector, of course I welcome progress in the sector, particularly investment, innovation and competition. To address identified gaps in the provision of communications infrastructure, my Department has intervened in the regions by part funding private sector infrastructure, by constructing State-owned, open access Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in cities and towns nationwide in association with the local and regional authorities and by supporting the County and Group Broadband Schemes (C&GBS).

Total public expenditure on telecoms infrastructure under the NDP 2000-2006 will be approximately €180 million. Phase One of the MANs programme, which involved the construction of networks in 27 towns, is now complete at a cost of approximately €85 million. Phase 2 of the MANs programme involves the construction of MANs in over 90 additional towns nationwide. Construction commenced in 2006 in 23 towns in the following counties; Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath, Galway, Longford and Donegal. The remaining MANs under Phase II of the programme are currently on schedule to have commenced construction by the end of 2007. It is currently anticipated that all the MANs in Phase 2 will have been constructed in 2007-2008. The estimated cost for Phase 2, at present, is €130 million.

Furthermore, 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. This investment in advanced communications and e-commerce infrastructure will promote the development of the Information Society through increasing the rate of broadband uptake through the availability of high-speed internet access to both enterprise and home users.

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