Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on offering grants towards the cost of satellite broadband services for people in areas unable to avail of low-cost broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/07]

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 Government is addressing the infrastructure deficit in the regions by building high-speed, open access, carrier neutral Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) in 120 towns and cities nationwide, on a phased basis in association with the local and regional authorities. Twenty-seven of these have been completed with the remaining due for completion during 2007 and 2008. These Metropolitan Area Networks will allow the private sector to offer world-class broadband services at competitive costs. Complementary to the MAN networks, the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme (GBS) has funded over 120 projects specifically aimed at smaller communities.

However, despite this Government investment and private sector investment I am aware that there are still some parts of the country where the private sector is unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband connectivity. A Steering Committee comprising officials from my Department and ComReg is currently finalising a new scheme, the National Broadband Scheme. The scheme, when it is fully rolled out, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband from houses and premises in areas unserved by broadband are met. Work on the design of an appropriate public tender is under way. The tender will be technology neutral, meaning all Service Providers regardless of the platform over which a service is provided, can compete under the tender process.