Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made any applications to the European Regional Development Fund for broadband projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38500/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department is the Intermediate Body for the Interventions in Communications Infrastructure under the Southern and Eastern (S&E) and the Border Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly Operational Programmes 2007-2013.

Under the Regional Operational Programmes 2007-2013, the priorities and investment areas in Communications Infrastructure being supported by European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) includes a provision for Broadband Infrastructure and Demand Stimulation. The main thrust of this measure with support from public funds is to overcome identified gaps in broadband infrastructure and services. This is being achieved through): - o The National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which aims to provide broadband services in unserved areas. NBS services are now available in all of the Electoral Districts within the NBS coverage area. o Completion of the Metropolitan Area Networks(MANS) Programme -The Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are State owned, underground telecommunications networks that are located in regional cities and towns. The MANs are available to service providers to enable them to offer high-speed broadband to their retail customers without having to build their own networks. Most of the MANs were built under the 2000-2006 Operational Programmes. o A pilot scheme to provide 100Mbps broadband access and associated services to 78 post-primary schools. o The total ERDF funding for the Communications Allocation under the Operational Programmes for each Body is €46million.

My Department is also a joint partner with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Project Kelvin, a telecoms project under the INTERREG IVA Programme for Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland, 2007-2013, which is also ERDF funded. The Kelvin Project will provide direct international telecoms connectivity from the North West and Border Region to North America and Europe. The total budget for the Kelvin Project is €30 million, of which 75% is refundable from ERDF funds.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget allocated for delivering broadband to schools in 2010; the amount it will cost to upgrade the 78 schools with 100 Mb; the amount it will cost to deliver this level of connection to 300 schools in 2011 and 300 in 2012; the specific investment made in primary school broadband connectivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38506/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The budget allocation for the 100mbps Pilot Project for 2010 was €4.9m (including capital carryover). The total cost of this project to date is €6.008m (VAT inclusive). This figure includes the installation of the broadband connectivity, the development of HEAnet's core and aggregate networks to receive the connections and investment in ICT hardware in each school to enable them to make best use of the new enhanced bandwidth.

All 78 schools now have their enhanced bandwidth and have successfully migrated onto the HEAnet's network.

The total cost of delivering the bandwidth to 300 schools both in 2011 and 2012 is dependent on the outcome of the procurement process that will have to take place prior to a national roll-out.

The responsibility for delivering broadband to primary schools rests with the Department of Education and Skills under the Broadband for Schools programme.