Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timeframe involved for accessing broadband under the national broadband scheme for areas in rural Kildare that can not access broadband at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6020/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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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 have announced a new scheme which will aim to provide a broadband service to these areas. 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. This scheme will, when it is fully rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in these 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.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timeframe involved in getting the Metropolitan Area Network up and running in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6021/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the timeframe involved in getting the Metropolitan Area Network up and running in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6022/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Metropolitan Area Network is not up and running in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeframe involved in getting this MAN up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6023/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Metropolitan Area Network is not up and running in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeframe involved in getting this MAN up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6024/07]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Metropolitan Area Network is not up and running in a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeframe involved in getting this MAN up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6025/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 to 386, inclusive, 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 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent regulator.

However, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. However, it has been clear for some time that the sector has failed to invest at the level necessary to keep pace with the demand for broadband. My Department's regional broadband programme is addressing the infrastructure deficit by building high-speed open access broadband networks, in association with the local and regional authorities, in the major towns and cities. These Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. The networks offer towns opportunities to attract inward investment in advanced technology and knowledge based enterprises.

Twenty-seven MANs have been completed under Phase One and are currently being managed by ENet, the Management Services Entity.

Phase Two of the MANs Programme includes the towns of Athy, Clane, Kilcock, Kilcullen, Kildare, Maynooth, Monasterevin, Newbridge, Prosperous and Rathangan in County Kildare. The Invitation to Tender for a design consultant was issued in late December 2006 for the design of these MANs. The closing date for responses is the 23rd February 2007. Kildare County Council will then review the tender submissions received and the appointment of a design consultant will be announced shortly afterwards.

It is expected that all the MANs will all be completed during 2007 and 2008.