Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Ennis town was not included in the metropolitan area network programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/09]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the next metropolitan area network scheme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are high-speed, open access, carrier neutral electronic communications networks, which facilitate competition in the electronic communications market in regional towns and cities nationwide. Phase I of this Programme was aimed at facilitating the delivery of broadband services in cities and towns that did not have broadband at that time. The Government approved the building of the Phase I MANs in March 2002. Phase I has so far delivered optical fibre based networks to twenty-seven towns and cities throughout the country. All twenty-seven are operational and open for business.

A further ninety-four towns were identified as locations for MANs under Phase II of the Programme on the basis that there was no DSL broadband available from the incumbent service provider in each of the locations. The Government approved the building of the Phase II MANs in November 2003. Fifty-nine of these MANs covering sixty-five towns have been completed to date. Ennis was not included under Phase II of the MANs Programme as DSL Broadband was available in the town at the time of the Government decision. Ennis was however identified as a candidate town for any further phases of the MANs Programme.

Any future broadband investment decisions, including investment in any further phases of the MANs Programme, will be guided by (i) the policy paper on Next Generation Broadband, which is being finalised at present, (ii) the Value for Money and Policy Review undertaken on Phase I of the MANs Programme and published in July 2008 (iii) any other analysis as appropriate and (iv) the availability of resources.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the situation with respect to the provision of broadband in Clonmore, County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22384/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In order to provide broadband services to areas that are not currently served by broadband, 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.

The general area of Clonmore, County Carlow will be provided with broadband services under this scheme. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services were launched in a small number of rural areas at the end of April 2009 and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010. However, 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. Details of the areas to be covered by 3 under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans in place to ensure that access to broadband is available to all residents in the Sooey and Ballintogher area of County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22493/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband services can now be provided over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre by the private sector service providers. I understand that broadband is available in Ballintogher, County Sligo from wireless and satellite service providers and in Sooey, County Sligo from mobile, wireless and satellite service providers.

Details of the availability of broadband services in specific areas are available at www.broadband.gov.ie and are attached for your information. Ballintogher

Sooey