Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the costs and timeframe of the MANs project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24068/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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27 Phase I MANs are complete and being managed by e|Net. 59 of the 60 Phase II MANs are complete. The 60th MAN, Kinsale, is due for completion in Q2 2010. Phase II of the MANs Programme was originally envisaged to include 94 towns. In December 2007 the Minister suspended the construction of 28 of the Phase II MANs pending the outcome of the Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMP&R) of Phase I of the MANs, which was published in July 2008.

Approximately €85 million has been spent to date on Phase l of the MANs Programme and almost €98 million on Phase ll, to date. These costs include all construction costs, design and associated programme management costs as well as the local authorities' contributions of approximately €17 million. All networks were constructed under a fixed price contract and are co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund. The cost net of ERDF funding to the State of both Phases of the MANs Programmes is approximately €98 million.

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 and (iii) the availability of resources.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on directing State agencies and Departments to use both a lo-call number and a local number for members of the public to phone in view of the fact that many people have free national calls which would be more cost efficient than calling the lo-call number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24064/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I have no statutory function in relation to setting policy in this area across the public sector.

My Department uses both a lo-call number and standard local number to facilitate a choice for members of the public. These numbers are published on the Department's website and in telephone directories.

The use of both a lo-call number and local number by the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day-to-day operational issue for these agencies and I have no function in that regard.

Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 20.