Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

3:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the value for money policy review on phase one of the MANs programme; when he will decide on the progression of a further phase of MANs; the status of MANs; the number of towns it has been delivered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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A Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of Phase I of the MANs Programme will be completed and published in January 2008.

My Department is also preparing a draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks which will consider the optimum role for Government in facilitating the roll out of high speed broadband networks. I expect to publish the draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks for consultation early in the New Year.

In the circumstances, I consider it prudent that contracts for the construction of new MANs networks should not be signed until I have had an opportunity to consider and assess the implications of the value for money report and the outcome of the consultation on the Next Generation Broadband policy paper.

In the meantime, MANs that are under construction will proceed as planned. There are sixty six Phase II MANs that are either recently completed or under construction.

Twenty seven MANs have been completed under Phase I of the programme and these are currently being managed by eNEt, the Management Services Entity for Phase I.

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