Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the level of grants that have been made available for the provision of broadband infrastructure for the past five years; the criteria to draw down such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has invested in broadband infrastructure through investment in private sector infrastructure, the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and through the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) programme.

During 2000 and 2001 grants of almost €35 million were awarded to private sector companies. The largest of these projects were ESB Telecoms installation of a new national fibre backbone network, and roll-out of DSL (digital subscriber line) services by Eircom and BT Ireland. Grant payments were made during the following three years.

The Group Broadband Scheme was launched in 2004 with a budget of €25 million. The scheme is co-funded by the E-Commerce and Communications Measure of the Boarder Midlands & Western and Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programmes of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The Government offered funding of up to 55%, the maximum allowable under EU rules in the BMW Region and funding of up to 30%, the maximum allowable in the S&E Region.

There were two calls for proposals under the Group Broadband Scheme. Approximately €6 million was committed in grant aid for 162 approved projects. The criteria to draw down the grant is available on the Departments website www.gbs.gov.ie.

Under the Metropolitan Area Network (MANs) Programme (Phase One) the Department offered grant aid to Local Authorities of €78 million for the construction of 27 high speed, open access fibre optic networks. Under phase two of the programme it is estimated that further Grant Aid of approximately €118 million will be drawdown by the Local Authorities for the construction of over 90 networks.