Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of additional resources that will be made available to fund the recommendations of the next generation broadband task force when it reports. [12884/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Government accepts that the widespread availability of high speed broadband is a key requirement in delivering future economic and social development. The Programme for Government commits to widespread availability of high speed broadband. The Next Generation Broadband Taskforce, which I convened last summer, has an important role to play in this regard. It comprises the CEOs of all of the major telecommunications companies operating in the Irish market, as well as CEOs of some other companies that provide broadband services.

The purpose of the Taskforce is to discuss and report on policy issues and proposals in relation to the provision of high speed broadband across Ireland. I expect that the Taskforce will help to identify how best to deliver wider customer access to high-speed broadband generally and thereby assist in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government. The Taskforce will conclude its deliberations very shortly. It is my intention to consider the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Taskforce submit the Report to Government and to publish it immediately thereafter. I anticipate that the Report of the Taskforce and the commitment in the Programme for Government will provide the basis for an optimal policy environment for the delivery of high speed broadband.

Accordingly, following publication of the Taskforce report, I intend to consult with other stakeholders before moving quickly to publish a National Next Generation Broadband Plan. The Plan will set out the Government's intentions with regard to any investment or actions required to facilitate the roll-out of Next Generation Broadband. The level of any State intervention required, in the form of financial resources or fiscal incentives will not become clear until after: (i) the Government decides what interventions, if any, are appropriate; (ii) due consideration is given to the various options; and (iii) the preferred options are identified.