Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan to provide fibre to the home will be implemented without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49707/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial companies are unlikely to invest. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible.  My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks on how to proceed.