Written answers
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Telecommunications Services
8:00 pm
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the rural broadband scheme will be rolled out; the details of the scheme; the number of dwellings he expects to be serviced by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/11]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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1The 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 in the coming weeks. This scheme will aim to provide a basic broadband service to the small percentage of premises throughout the country that are not currently capable of receiving a broadband service through existing commercial operators or through interventions such as the National Broadband Scheme.
It is not possible therefore to make a dependable estimate of the number of households which are likely to be able to avail of the scheme. A key part of the scheme will be to identify those premises seeking a broadband service and to confirm that the premises in question cannot obtain a broadband service in the current market. 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. Information in relation to acceptance of applications and the process of qualification under the scheme will be made available when the scheme is launched.
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