Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the electoral divisions (details supplied) in County Laois will receive broadband under the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10081/09]

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

While the electoral divisions detailed hereunder will be covered by the NBS, 3 is not in a position, at this juncture, to predict the progression of site rollout in advance of obtaining the necessary planning permissions. One month prior to the NBS being launched in any given area, 3 will implement a marketing campaign to announce the forthcoming service availability. This campaign will include, inter alia, local press and outdoor advertising.