Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of the national broadband plan once completed; the amount paid out to date; the estimated amount that will be paid between now and the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42249/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to a high speed broadband services. The procurement process for the National Broadband Plan has determined that the maximum cost to the State over the 25 year term of the contract will be €2.143bn, excluding VAT of €355m and excluding contingency of €480m.

The total amount spent to date on the NBP procurement process and subsequent evaluation of tenders is €28.236 million (including VAT).

In order to ensure that the State gets value for money and to minimise the cost to the taxpayer, the contract contains a suite of protections, including clawback provisions. These clawback provisions will apply where cost savings are achieved and to share in any future excess profits. The contract will also be subject to robust contract governance measures.

Following the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The network deployment will commence shortly after that.