Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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454. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17412/19]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17680/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 466 together.

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 premises had access to high speed broadband. Today, 74% of the 2.4 million Irish premises can access high speed broadband.

The tender for the National Broadband Plan State intervention network is technology neutral, in line with State Aid Guidelines, and does not mandate the delivery of service by any specific material or infrastructure. However, I understand the solution proposed is a mostly fibre to the home solution to meet the requirements for speed, capacity and future proofing set under the NBP.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.