Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role of his Department in the roll-out of rural broadband; the responsibilities he has in this area; the action he has planned; the progress made to date by the implementation group on the mobile phone and broadband taskforce report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8507/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department's mission is to provide a renewed focus on rural and community development in Ireland, and to put in place policy and supports to create vibrant and sustainable communities. The availability of a high quality, high speed broadband network is an essential component underpinning sustainable growth and development in rural communities.

In this regard, my officials are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including all local authorities, to identify and remove barriers to the rollout of telecommunications networks throughout rural Ireland. 

Some key measures progressed during 2017 by my Department through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Implementation Group include:

- The assignment of a Broadband Officer in each local authority, co-funded by my Department. This is ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagement with telecoms operators and assisting in clearing obstacles to the rollout of telecoms infrastructure.

- Officials from my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are working closely with mobile operators and local authorities to identify mobile phone blackspots areas, ascertain why these issues are arising, and identify solutions to improve coverage.

- My Department engages continuously with all 31 local authorities through the Northern and Southern Regional Action Groups to review and address barriers identified as impacting on the rollout of telecoms infrastructure.

- My Department co-hosted a national stakeholder forum in October bringing together key stakeholders to discuss issues impacting on the rollout of telecoms infrastructure.

The Implementation Review 2017, which was published this morning, outlines progress made during the course of 2017, and sets out a work programme of actions for implementation in 2018.

The Implementation Group will continue to meet in 2018 to drive progress on implementing measures which will have a direct impact on the quality of mobile and broadband services throughout the country.