Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to receive the draft policy paper on next generation broadband networks; if he will implement the value for money and policy review of phase one of the Metropolitan Area Networks, MANs, programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12573/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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A paper on Next Generation Broadband (NGB) is being finalised in my Department and will be published shortly for public consultation. The objective of the Paper is to set out a strong framework for the development of NGB in Ireland including addressing the optimum role for Government both in terms of formulating and development by the private sector and targeted direct investment.

I established an expert International Advisory Forum on Next Generation Broadband that met on 26 and 27 February 2008 to critically evaluate the policy issues, options and recommendations contained, as indicated in the draft of the paper.

The draft paper is now being amended to take account of the Forum's views and, as already indicated, I will publish the paper for public consultation.

The Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of Phase I of the MANs Programme is being finalised and is due to be published shortly. Both the VFMPR and the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband will guide the further development of policy in this important area.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Wexford will be upgraded with broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12670/08]

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 (GBS) 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 Wexford, and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met.

The first phase of the NBS procurement process (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)) is now complete, and 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.