Written answers
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
National Broadband Plan
Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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503. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a progress report on the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7766/19]
Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
The NBP procurement process is now at the final stage. Assessment of the Final Tender submitted by the Bidder is ongoing and my priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. I intend to bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.
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