Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects broadband to be rolled out in Rossmore, Clonakilty, County Cork and the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34944/08]

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. Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms such as DSL (telephone lines), cable, fixed wireless, and increasingly mobile. I understand that the Clonakilty area already has broadband on offer from a number of service providers.

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), investment in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) which is designed to deliver broadband to areas where the market has failed to provide services. The NBS contract is scheduled to be signed next month. Subject to agreement with the chosen provider, rollout of services are expected to begin shortly thereafter.