Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the uptake of the rural broadband initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25638/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Application Phase of the Rural Broadband Scheme closed on 29 July 2011. Almost 5,000 applications have been received. My Department is currently processing approximately 1,200 of these applications where address details need to be clarified – this is a time consuming exercise but the aim is to clear these applications over the coming weeks.

The next step in the scheme is the Verification Phase, in which the Department will give internet service providers the opportunity to serve the applicants under normal commercial terms. Subject to agreement with the companies concerned, the Verification Phase should be carried out over the period October – January 2012. We would expect that some of the applicants under the Scheme will be offered a service by these companies during this phase.

The procurement process is expected to commence in parallel to select a service provider to offer a service to remaining applicants once the Verification Phase has been completed. My Department expects to identify the preferred supplier by the end of January 2012 and pending contract negotiations a service provider will be appointed by mid-February 2012. Roll out of the service under the Scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.