Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the newly announced rural broadband scheme does not cover areas which were covered under the previous scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are parts of Kilkerley in County Louth which are in the mapped area for the previous rural broadband scheme but still cannot avail of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14376/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS), which I announced last month, aims to provide a basic broadband service to individual un-served rural premises outside of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS) areas.

The RBS, as a targeted State intervention into the broadband market, is subject to strict rules set by the EU Commission and it is therefore strictly prohibited from being used to displace existing operators, including the NBS service provider. To do so would be a breach of EU State Aid's rules.

As the area referred to by the Deputy is outside of the NBS area, anyone living in this location, who is unable to obtain a broadband service from existing commercial operators, can make an application to be included in the Rural Broadband Scheme. Details of the Scheme are available on my Department's website at www.dcenr.ie and applications can be made online or by telephone at 01-6782020 or Callsave 1850678100. Broadband is now available in all NBS areas, including the Creggan Upper ED in County Louth. 3, the NBS service provider, is obliged to provide broadband to anyone in a NBS area who requires a service.