Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1130: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the roll out of broadband will take place in the Kilmeedy exchange in County Limerick (details supplied). [48098/08]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if telephone exchanges (details supplied) which Eircom suggested should be considered for the national broadband scheme are to be included in the scheme; and when they are scheduled to be upgraded. [1357/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 1130 and 1135 together.

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 enabling of exchanges for broadband purposes is a matter for the owners of the relevant exchanges. The design of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) involved a number of complex elements including the development of (i) a technology neutral procurement process and (ii) a map of the State showing areas that are unserved and served by broadband.

While an area may not be served by digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband (i.e. by a DSL enabled telephone exchange) it may be served by service providers using different platforms (e.g. wireless, mobile, satellite or fibre). In the event that an area is not covered by a DSL, wireless or mobile broadband service provider, it will be included in the NBS. 3, a Hutchison Whampoa company, have been awarded the contract for the NBS. Details of the areas to be covered by "3" under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs. The general areas of Templemartin, County Cork and Kilmeedy in County Limerick are covered by the NBS. The Newcestown area in County Cork is currently served by at least one service provider and does not fall within the NBS coverage area.