Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to the European economic recovery plan and funding for broadband initiatives, the position regarding the scheme and the procedures that should be followed by rural communities interested in availing of the funding to have their local exchange broadband enabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35539/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The European Commission has set aside a portion of the European Economic Recovery Programme (EERP) funding for rural broadband initiatives. Using this funding, which will be augmented by an Exchequer contribution, I intend to formally launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of this year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme areas. A key part of the scheme will be to confirm that the premises in question cannot obtain a broadband service. In a fully liberalised market it is essential to intervene only where the market is unable to provide a service and the Department will be consulting fully with the existing service providers in this respect. The scheme will be available for applications on an individual basis. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available when the scheme is launched.