Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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645. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures he plans to put in place to ensure that local authorities are prepared for the roll-out of broadband once the tender process is concluded; the cost of the measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42348/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, which was published last December, recommended the assignment by each Local Authority of an officer with responsibility for broadband and mobile phone services. The function of this officer is to act as a single point of contact for telecommunications operators on the roll-out of telecommunications infrastructure, as well as to increase awareness of, and stimulate demand for, broadband services.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has provided funding to all 31 Local Authorities to co-fund the assignment of a Broadband Officer.

The remit of the Broadband Officer is primarily to manage interactions with any company that is seeking to roll out telecommunications infrastructure in their county. The Broadband Officers will also work with the winning bidder(s) in respect of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in the areas to be covered by State intervention. Broadband Officers are also involved in helping to develop local digital strategies to ensure that full use is made of the new broadband infrastructure once it is in place.  

The telecommunications providers have widely welcomed the assignment the Broadband Officers by the Local Authorities and are actively engaging with them.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has, additionally, established two Regional Action Groups involving all Local Authorities to ensure consistency in their engagement with the telecommunications operators and to identify and address obstacles to the roll-out of telecoms infrastructure. A number of sub-groups have been established to progress individual work items associated with the roll-out of high-speed broadband.

The appointment of Broadband Officers is just one of 40 actions contained in the report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. An implementation group has been established to oversee the delivery of the Taskforce recommendations.  Progress Reports from the Implementation Group are published on a quarterly basis, with the third report due shortly.