Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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526. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in relation to the need for fixed line broadband in Carrickboy, County Longford. [35536/14]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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528. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be included for high speed broadband; the reasons for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35687/14]

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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533. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a progress report on the implementation of the plan to increase high speed broadband in 14 locations in County Carlow and over 1,000 nationwide that were identified for improved connections in April 2014. [35911/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 526, 528 and 533 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. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.

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 identified and includes 17 areas in County Longford, including Carrickboy and 78 areas in County Tipperary, including Templetuohy as well as 14 areas in County Carlow. Commercial operators are also rolling out high speed services in all three counties.

As part of the mapping process, an initial stakeholder consultation on certain technical aspects of the proposed Plan was launched in June with a deadline of 15th September. 31 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses will be published over the coming weeks.

I expect to publish the maps for public consultation later this year. These will include details of the areas requiring State intervention. These maps will be dynamic and will be subject to change if new commercial investments are announced in the future.

A further public consultation on a proposed comprehensive 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 European 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.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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527. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the budget planned on broadband rollout each year for the next three years. [35629/14]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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529. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of State investment he estimates will be needed to deliver 30Mbps broadband speeds to every home in the country. [35708/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 529 together.

The National Broadband Plan contains very clear commitments from Government to invest in areas of the country where high speed broadband services are not, or will not, be made available through commercial investment.

The precise amount of the contribution from the State will be informed by the mapping process, through detailed modelling, development of the intervention strategy, including the funding strategy, and ultimately through the formal procurement process. Our focus in designing this procurement process will be to ensure value for money in any State expenditure.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to making the necessary funding available as part of the design of the intervention strategy and to ensuring that this funding enables the delivery of high speed broadband to all parts of Ireland that will not be served by commercial operators.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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530. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes that will now require State intervention under the national broadband plan. [35710/14]

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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531. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the detailed mapping exercise that is taking place to identify the footprint of the national broadband plan. [35719/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 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. Through the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the Government aims ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland. This is being achieved through measures designed to accelerate commercial investment and the development of a State-led intervention for non-commercial areas.

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.

As part of the mapping process, an initial stakeholder consultation on certain technical aspects of the proposed Plan was launched in June with a deadline of 15th September. 31 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses will be published over the coming weeks.

I expect to publish the maps for public consultation later this year. These will include details of the areas requiring State intervention. These maps will be dynamic and will be subject to change as new commercial investments are announced in the future. Ultimately, the size of the footprint requiring State intervention will be determined by the scale and scope of commercial investment.

A further public consultation on a proposed comprehensive 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 European 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.