Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the universal services obligation to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have no plans to extend the universal services obligation to broadband. However, 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, 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.