Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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632. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or a body under its aegis has plans to introduce incentives or funding for individual businesses or local authorities to provide free Wi-Fi hotspots, in particular in small urban or rural areas, for tourism promotion; and if he will examine proposals to increase the number of free Wi-Fi hotspots. [22065/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Government policy concerning the provision of digital connectivity is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.  I understand the forthcoming implementation of the National Broadband Plan will ensure that "next generation broadband" will become widely available in areas where broadband speeds are currently inadequate. While I have no plans along the lines suggested by the Deputy, my Department's Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018 does commit to encouraging the provision of Wi-Fi connectivity at outdoor locations to support visitors in sharing their images of Ireland through social media.  To this end, Fáilte Ireland currently provides free Wi-Fi for visitors to its Tourist Information Offices. I further understand that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is liaising with Local Authorities to facilitate the speedy roll-out of broadband infrastructure in order that next-generation broadband services would become widely available, which would enhance the local tourism offering.  Additionally, I will be encouraging the Local Authorities in the context of their tourism strategies to facilitate the wider provision of Wi-Fi hotspots.