Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when villages (details supplied) in County Cork will receive broadband under the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6071/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband services are available from competing service providers over multiple platforms, including DSL (telephone lines), cable, fixed wireless, and mobile. Ballynoe, Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Rathcormack, Ballycotton and Shanagarry, County Cork, are currently served by at least one service provider and do not fall within the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) coverage area. The following table is a list of the service providers for the stated areas.

My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the NBS. 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service.

3 are currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the provision of the service. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services will begin to be rolled out in April 2009 and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.

The general areas of Conna and Ballymacoda, County Cork, will be covered by the NBS. Details of the areas to be covered by 3 under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if roll-out of broadband under the national broadband scheme has commenced in view of the fact that a contractor has been appointed to deliver the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6072/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service. 3 is currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the provision of the service. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services will begin to be rolled out in April 2009 and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.

Details of the areas to be covered by 3 under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs.