Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department's attention has been drawn to the fact that Palatine village, three miles outside Carlow town does not have broadband available in the area; when he expects broadband to be available there; if tax relief is available to those who have to spend €1000 on the installation of an alternative broadband system and up to €1200 per year running same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband by private sector companies, is a matter, in the first instance, for the companies themselves operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, (ComReg).

The role of the Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The Government has recognised, however, that in some areas of the country the market has failed to invest in broadband roll out. To that end the Government has intervened with various initiatives to facilitate broadband in these areas including investment in metropolitan area networks (MANs) and group broadband schemes. In addition to these interventions, I recently announced a National Broadband Scheme. This scheme will target the last 10% or so of the population who are without a broadband service and who would remain without a service without intervention. The Scheme will, when it is rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met. The Department will commence the tender process in the coming weeks. 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.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ballow in County Carlow does not have broadband currently available to many of the residents; when he expects broadband to be available to all the residents in the area; and the reason for the delay in same. [14760/07]

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.

My Department approved a project under the Group Broadband Scheme for several towns in Co. Carlow including Ballon. The provision of the broadband service is an operational matter for the approved service provider, PermaNET.

My Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie gives full details of broadband availability in all areas, including ADSL, cable, fibre, satellite and fixed wireless. The website also lists prices of the various service levels on offer and contact details for each service provider.

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide broadband to a village (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband by private sector companies, is a matter, in the first instance, for the companies themselves operating in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, (ComReg).

The role of the Government is to implement regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The Government has recognised, however, that in some areas of the country the market has failed to invest in broadband roll out. To that end the Government has intervened with various initiatives to facilitate broadband in these areas including investment in metropolitan area networks (MANs) and group broadband schemes. In addition to these interventions, I recently announced a National Broadband Scheme. This scheme will target the last 10% or so of the population who are without a broadband service and who would remain without a service without intervention. The Scheme will, when it is rolled out, ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met. The Department will commence the tender process in the coming weeks.