Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 1114 of 9 June 2015, if he will expand on the point made in his reply as to the potential role communities can play in aggregating demand for broadband services in their areas, which can lead to acceleration of the deployment and adoption of such services; the way he expects communities will aggregate demand if high speed broadband services are not available in certain communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24096/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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As I outlined to the Deputy in my recent reply to him, my Department has been active in engaging with as many stakeholders as possible during the planning phase for the state intervention under the National Broadband Plan. This includes many community and voluntary groups as well as Local Authorities and various agencies tasked with promoting regional development. All have been very supportive of plans to bring high-speed broadband to rural communities. It is likely that the procurement process for the State intervention will seek to establish from prospective bidders specific demand stimulation measures. Communities can also play a role in encouraging adoption of technology and identifying areas where there is an aggregated demand that could facilitate early deployment of services.