Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure every citizen and business regardless of location has access to a high-quality, high-speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services, with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high-speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at . The areas marked in blue represent those areas that will have access to commercial high-speed broadband services by the end of 2016 and include Mullaharlin, County Louth.

The amber areas show the target areas for the State intervention.

Based on information provided by commercial operators, 100% of Mullaharlin and 81% of Heystown will be covered by the commercial sector while the remaining 19% of Heystown will be part of the State intervention. Members of the public should consult the map to establish the precise location and status of their individual premises.

Intensive design and planning work is under way in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the amber area. Following a public consultation process on the draft intervention strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and that connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a five-year period. This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for the Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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841. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband provision at a location (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure every citizen and business regardless of location has access to a high-quality high-speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State-led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at . The map shows Ireland with two colours, blue and amber.

The areas marked blue represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by the end of 2016.

The amber area on the map shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes Knockfernia, Co Limerick. All premises within the amber areas will be included in the State's intervention.

Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the amber area. Following a public consultation process on the draft intervention strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and that connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a five-year period. This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for the Government. It aims to conclusively address current connectivity challenges in Ireland.