Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount spent to date on the e-commerce and communications infrastructure measure under the national development plan; the amount estimated to be spent under this measure by the end of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24619/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the 2000-2006 National Development Plan (NDP) a total of €115 million was spent on the e-commerce and communications measure to the end of December 2006. The total amount to be spent is likely to be €144 million comprising €115.36m of NDP and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding and €29m ERDF co-financed expenditure in 2007. As regards the 2007-2013 NDP, a figure of €435 million was allocated to the Communications and Broadband Programme. €28.6 million has been spent to date. It is anticipated that the full €435 million will be fully utilised over the lifetime of the programme.

The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department will undertake initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. Over the 2007-2013 period, the current phase of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) programme will be completed. Consideration will be given to a further phase of the MANs once the effectiveness of spending under the first phase has been addressed. The National Broadband Scheme which aims to provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved is also under development. This scheme, which will also be funded under the 2007-2013 Plan, will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband in unserved areas are met.