Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband will be delivered to Carrowmenagh, Inishowen, County Donegal; if this area comes under the national broadband scheme that will be completed by September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40444/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre.

I understand that fixed wireless broadband is available in Carrowmenagh, County Donegal, from North West Electronics, together with a number of satellite service providers. Details of broadband availability throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers. EU State Aid and competition rules govern how states can intervene in areas where there are existing service providers. Accordingly, the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which was approved by the EU Commission, is prohibited from providing a service in served areas where to do so would give rise to an unacceptable level of market distortion. For this reason, Carrowmenagh is not within the NBS area.

The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives.

I am considering how the provision of broadband services to un-served rural premises can be achieved through an appropriate intervention under the EERP. My Department is currently considering options for the design of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband.

Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Clare will have a proper broadband service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40500/09]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Clare will have a proper broadband service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40501/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.

Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre.

I understand that broadband is available in Ballyea, County Clare, from mobile and satellite service providers and in Doora, Ballaghboy, County Clare, from DSL, mobile and satellite service providers. Details of broadband availability throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers. The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives.

I am considering how the provision of broadband services to un-served rural premises can be achieved through an appropriate intervention under the EERP. My Department is currently considering options for the design of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband.

Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband for an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40519/09]

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) in order to provide broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. 3 is required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS coverage area and which seek a service.

The company is progressing its network roll-out and services have gone live in a number of areas. The entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.

The area of Grangecon, County Wicklow, which is located in Grange Electoral Division, will be provided with broadband services under this scheme. The status of service availability in the NBS coverage area can be checked at www.three.ie/nbs. The forthcoming availability of services in any particular area is also announced by way of 3's marketing campaign.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband for an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40520/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e over the telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre.

I understand that fixed wireless, mobile and satellite broadband is available in Ballyknockan, Valleymount. Details of broadband availability together with the availability of broadband services throughout the country are available at www.broadband.gov.ie. I would add that information contained on this website is provided by the service providers.

The widespread acceptance of the benefits of broadband has motivated the EU Commission to set aside a portion of European Economic Recovery Package (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives.

I am considering how the provision of broadband services to un-served rural premises can be achieved through an appropriate intervention under the EERP. My Department is currently considering options for the design of such a scheme. This work will include the identification of premises not capable of receiving broadband.

Discussions have already commenced with the European Commission on the first step of applying for and securing State Aid clearance.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband for an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/09]

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) in order to provide broadband services to rural areas, many of which do not currently have any broadband service. 3 is required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS coverage area and which seek a service.

The company is progressing its network roll-out and services have gone live in a number of areas, including the area of Kiltegan, County Wicklow, which is located in Humewood Electoral Division. The status of service availability in the NBS coverage area can be checked at www.three.ie/nbs.