Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made in making broadband available along a national primary road (details supplied); and when broadband will be available to the residents in Fairymount, County Roscommon. [21690/08]

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. Details of broadband suppliers, prices and locations throughout the country are available on www.broadband.gov.ie.

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 included providing grant-aid under the Group Broadband Scheme and ongoing 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. Accordingly, the procurement process for a National Broadband Scheme (NBS) is under way. The NBS will provide broadband services to areas that are currently unserved and will ensure that all reasonable requests for broadband are met. Homes and premises that are more difficult to reach are also being examined and potential solutions are being considered. Consequently, it is expected that all homes and premises in currently unserved areas will be offered a broadband service. It is anticipated that a preferred bidder will be selected and appointed in August 2008.

As regards MANs a Value for Money and Policy Review of Phase I of the MANs Programme is currently being finalised in my Department. I am also finalising a consultation paper on next generation broadband. Both documents will be published shortly and will inform future Government investment in broadband.