Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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1626. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if high speed broadband will be made available in an area (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32934/14]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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1632. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when broadband service will be approved for a location (details supplied) in County Laois. [33174/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1626 and 1632 together.

The Government’s Statement of Priorities for the period 2014 to 2016 reaffirms our commitment to delivering a State-led broadband intervention in rural areas. The Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.

Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated. Commercial operators have invested, or are committing to invest approximately €2.5 billion in upgrading telecommunications networks and services. I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 21 fibre-based broadband networks in County Laois and 17 fibre-based broadband networks in County Offaly by July 2016. In addition, the announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband in both Portlaoise and Tullamore. Previous interventions by the State have also delivered Metropolitan Area Networks to four towns in Offaly and one in Laois which are providing advanced services in Edenderry, Birr, Tullamore and Portlaoise. There is also a Metropolitan Area Network capacity situated in Banagher, Co. Offaly.

While the accelerated commercial investment is welcome, it is largely focussed on cities and larger towns. The intervention strategy envisaged by Government recognises that quality broadband is a priority service for a 21st Century society. Central to the strategy therefore will be a major infrastructure build, which is likely to be primarily fibre-based. This will be designed to ensure that high quality broadband services are available in all parts of Ireland that cannot be served by the commercial sector.

Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. A comprehensive mapping exercise is underway in my Department to identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial list of areas has already been identified. It includes 20 areas in County Laois and 28 areas in County Offaly.

As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June with a deadline of mid-September for submissions. I expect to publish the maps for public consultation later this year. Details of the areas requiring State intervention will not be confirmed until then. A further public consultation on the proposed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015.

EU State Aid clearance will be required for the proposed State intervention. My Department will be working closely with the EU Commission on this important aspect of the programme.

Finally, a detailed procurement process will have to be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) prior to commencing the roll out of high speed broadband services.

This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and for my Department. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in a sustainable and meaningful way. Our goal is to ensure that quality broadband services are available to all citizens regardless of where they are located