Written answers

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Telecommunications Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to mitigate the growth of the digital divide; the method to ensure equality of access to information technology and Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14642/08]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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 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 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 four candidates pre-qualified to enter the next phase of the procurement process. Following the withdrawal of the IFA/Motorola Consortium as a candidate, the remaining three candidates have now commenced "Competitive Dialogue" with my Department and are developing their proposed solutions to meet my Department's requirements for the delivery of broadband to the unserved areas of the country. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in July 2008, with roll out to commence as soon as possible thereafter.

I should also mention that €0.97 million will be distributed by Pobal this year to support ICT initiatives aimed at disadvantaged communities. Finally, I understand that almost 1,500 public access Internet PCs are currently available in public libraries throughout the country.

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