Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the rural broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44995/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to provide broadband coverage to areas not serviced by the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44788/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 52 together.

It continues to be a priority of the Government that there will be broadband coverage across the entire country. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be a small percentage of premises throughout the country 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 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 launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas.

There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS. This process will be technology neutral – it will be a matter for the bidders to decide which technical approach they propose in their bids. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available in due course when the scheme is launched

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on Ireland's ability to fulfil the EU Commission target to have universal broadband access available across the EU by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44991/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The provision of telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for private sector service providers operating in a liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Broadband services are provided by private service providers over various platforms including DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless, mobile, cable, fibre and satellite. ComReg's website www.callcosts.ie provides detailed information on the various private sector telecommunications products and services available on a county by county basis.

In cases of market failure the Government will intervene, where it is appropriate and possible to do so. The National Broadband Scheme (NBS) represents such an intervention. The provision of broadband services under the NBS has advanced incrementally and services are now available throughout the entire NBS area with a current minimum download speed of 1.6Mbps. Under the NBS contract, this minimum download speed will be increased to 2.3mbps in 2012.

Since the completion of the roll out of the NBS network last month, every part of Ireland now has a broadband service available from at least one service provider. Additionally, satellite broadband services are available throughout Ireland. However, despite Government and private investment in broadband, I am aware that there continues to be isolated cases of premises throughout the country that cannot receive the broadband services available. This is primarily due to technical and other reasons (e.g., suitability of a telephone line, distance from an enabled exchange, or no 'line of sight' from the premises to the wireless base station).

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 launch a Rural Broadband Scheme before the end of the year. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas.

There will be a competitive process to engage a service provider who will offer a broadband service to qualified applicants under the scheme. While the exact details have yet to be finalised, I expect that the service offered under this scheme would at least match the service offered under the NBS and that the scheme will be fully rolled out by the end of 2012. Accordingly, I am committed that the combination of private sector investment in telecommunications services, combined with Government's intervention in the NBS and the forthcoming Rural Broadband Scheme will result in broadband access for all by 2013, in line with the aims of the EU Commission.