Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the mapping exercise of the national broadband scheme coverage areas; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40693/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses in Ireland, through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5bn in network upgrades and at least 1.6m of Ireland's 2.3m premises are expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next number of years.

Under EU State Aid Guidelines Member States cannot intervene where commercial investors have plans to roll out services. My Department is currently finalising a national map which will identify those areas that require a State intervention. An initial examination has already identified a significant number of areas that will require State intervention.

As part of the mapping process, a stakeholder consultation was launched in June. 31 submissions have been received and non-commercially sensitive versions of these responses were published by my Department earlier this week.

I expect to publish the map shortly. Those accessing this map will be able to identify their own house or premises and see whether it is in the proposed intervention footprint. Where a house or premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial high speed broadband services. The map will be subject to change as new information becomes available or commercial investments are announced in the future. The maps will be the subject of public consultation over a number of months, allowing operators and citizens to comment, clarify and seek updates.

My Department's website will also contain user-friendly information that will help deal with queries or concerns members of the public might have regarding the proposed State intervention. In addition I intend to set up a help desk where people can contact my officials directly with issues or questions relating to the Plan

A further public consultation on a detailed intervention strategy will be launched in mid-2015. My Department is also working closely with the European Commission with a view to obtaining State Aid clearance for the programme.

A detailed procurement process will be undertaken in order to select a potential preferred bidder(s) towards the end of 2015.

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

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the roll out of the national broadband plan in County Clare; if he will provide a progress report as regards provision of same in the following areas Ardnacrusha, Aughinish, Ballinruan, Ballycannon, Ballynacally, Ballyvaughan, Ballyvelaghan, Bealaclugga, Bodyke, Caher, Carran, Carrigaholt, Connolly, Coolmeen, Craggagh, Cranny, Cree, Cross, Darragh, Doolin, Doonaha, Drumandoora, Drumdigus, Finvarra, Flagmount, Inagh, Kilbaha, Kilbane, Kilkee, Kilkishen, Kildysart, Kilnaboy, Kilmaley, Kilmihil, Kilmore, Kilmurry, Kilnamona, Kilshanny, Knock, Labasheeda, Lissycasey, Lisdeen, Mahonburgh, Maurices Mills, Mountshannon, Moyasta, Newtown, Oatfield, O’Callaghans Mills, Ogonnelloe, Querrin, Quilty, Ruan, Spanish Point, Tullig and Whitegate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40695/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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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. Since publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector have accelerated with commercial operators investing, or committing to invest, approximately €2.5 billion in networks and services.

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 has already been identified and includes the 56 areas in County Clare referred to in the Deputy's Question.

I understand that at least one network operator has published a programme to roll out 30 fibre-based broadband networks in County Clare by July 2016. In addition the recent announcement of a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone includes a proposal to provide high speed broadband in Ennis and Shannon Town. I am also aware of the rollout of high speed broadband service in Shannon Town by UPC.

The State has previously intervened in the telecoms sector through the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Programme, by constructing one network in Kilrush, County Clare. This network is currently in use by telecoms operators, who are making telecoms services available to businesses and citizens in the Kilrush area.

I expect to publish a map shortly 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 premises is not in the proposed intervention area it means it either currently, or will in the near future, have access to commercial NGA services.

The map will be the subject of public consultation over a number of months, allowing operators and citizens to comment, clarify and seek updates. In this respect, the map will be dynamic and will be subject to change if new information comes to light or if 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. I expect the procurement process to commence towards the end of 2015.

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.