Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 992: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an application has been made to the European Commission to secure State aid clearance for the provision of broadband under the European economic recovery package; and if not, the time frame will such an application be made. [38241/09]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 996: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of households that do not have access to broadband and are not covered by the national broadband scheme; the plans the European economic recovery programme scheme has in place to subsidise broadband in non-NBS rural areas. [38518/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 992 and 996 together.

It is accepted that even after the full roll-out of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) there will still be a small percentage of premises that will not be capable of receiving broadband services. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, no line of sight etc.). The European Economic Recovery Programme includes funding for access to broadband infrastructure in rural areas and my Department is currently considering the design and implementation of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband.

It is hoped to commence this scheme in 2010 and have it completed by 2012. Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.