Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail his plans to improve the broadband telecommunications infrastructure throughout parts of County Cavan, where such infrastructure is inadequate; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of households, schools and business in general in respect of the standard of service available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39217/14]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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362. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail his plans to improve the broadband telecommunications infrastructure in areas (details supplied) in County Leitrim; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of households, schools and business in respect of the inadequate service provided at present in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39218/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 362 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 37 areas in County Cavan and 33 areas in County Leitrim including Aughavas. I am also aware of extensive rollout of high speed broadband services in Counties Cavan and Leitrim, including Cloone, 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 a map later this year which will allow members of the public to see the precise areas of the country where, based on current information provided by the various commercial operators, it is intended that the proposed Government intervention will cover. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether or not it is in the proposed national intervention footprint. Where a house or premise is excluded from the proposed intervention it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial NGA services. The map 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.