Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if or when broadband will be available to the Scotshouse area of County Monaghan in order that a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan can avail of the necessary service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8790/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services, by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).

Although broadband is now widely available in Ireland there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. These areas are being addressed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) which will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved, including any unserved areas of County Monaghan, and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met.

The first phase of the National Broadband Scheme procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008 and that implementation of services will commence as soon as possible thereafter.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 594: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if broadband is available in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if so, the number of individuals and businesses linked up to it; if he is satisfied that it is available at reasonable cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8791/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

Service providers are now offering broadband by wireless, satellite, fibre, standard telephone cable and mobile in Carrickmacross. My Department operates a dedicated website, www.broadband.gov.ie where potential broadband customers can ascertain the availability of services in their area.

Subscriber numbers are collected by ComReg on a national rather than regional basis. Ireland was ranked fifth cheapest for broadband, that is, for using a monthly rental ADSL basket, in the EU15 and is below the EU average. Prices have fallen as more providers with varying offers via different technologies have entered the market.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the planned roll-out of broadband for Waterford; the areas it is planned to include over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8796/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated, where appropriate, by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.

The role of the Government is to formulate regulatory and infrastructure policies to facilitate the provision of high quality telecommunications services by competing private sector service providers. The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. In that regard my Department has undertaken initiatives to address the gaps in broadband coverage. These include providing grant-aid under the recently concluded Group Broadband Scheme and investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).

Although broadband is now widely available in Ireland there are still some parts of the country where the private sector will be unable to justify the commercial provision of broadband services. These areas are being addressed by the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved, including any unserved areas in County Waterford, and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met.

The first phase of the National Broadband Scheme procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in June 2008 and that implementation of services commence as soon as possible thereafter.