Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll-out of the rural broadband scheme. [36786/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Application Phase of the Rural Broadband Scheme closed on 29 July 2011. Approximately 5,000 applications have been received although not all of those applications will be eligible under the terms of the scheme. The Department has almost completed the processing of applications, which involved clarification of address details. This process will enable the Department to finalise eligible application numbers with a view to establishing services for these applications.

The next phase of the scheme is the Verification Phase. This is intended to provide the market with the opportunity to offer a service to applicants under the scheme and to verify any applicants who cannot be served by the market under prevailing market conditions. A total of 51 Internet companies expressed an interest in participating in this Phase of the Scheme. This includes all of the major national companies. A process of engagement with these companies is now under way and I expect that agreements on participation in the process will be agreed and finalised in the coming weeks.

Subject to agreement with the companies concerned, the Verification Phase should be carried out in early 2012. It is expected that some of the applicants under the Scheme will be offered a service by these companies during this phase. My Department expects to carry out a procurement process to select a service provider to offer a service to remaining applicants once the Verification Phase has been completed. Rollout of the service under the Scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.