Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

576. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll-out of broadband to rural areas of counties Longford and Westmeath; and the option he has at his disposal to compel broadband providers to significantly improve broadband coverage in these large rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38128/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 and 39 areas in County Westmeath. I am also aware of extensive rollout of high speed broadband services in Counties Longford and Westmeath by at least one commercial operator.

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 last. Some 31 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses will be published by my Department 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. The 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 detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015.

EU State Aid clearance will be required for the 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.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

577. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will proceed to roll out high speed rural broadband network scheme that was announced in April 2014; the timeframe in which this scheme will be rolled out to a company (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38165/14]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

578. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the national broadband scheme; if there will be provision of fixed line broadband in rural County Monaghan; if he will provide an update as to whether the targets of this plan have been achieved or otherwise, in particular the minimum of 30 Mbps for every home in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38212/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 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 and 36 areas in County Monaghan. I am also aware of extensive rollout of high speed broadband services in Counties Longford and Monaghan by at least one commercial operator.

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 last. 31 submissions were received as part of this process and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses will be published by my Department 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. The 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 detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015.

EU State Aid clearance will be required for the 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.