Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans for the roll-out of the national broadband plan; the activities to take place in 2019 and 2020 following the allocation in budget 2020 to progress the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42314/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Since 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.

The National Broadband Plan will bridge the digital divide that is emerging between urban and rural areas. High speed connectivity has multiple potential positive impacts on the lives and livelihoods of citizens throughout the country. The National Broadband Plan will ensure that those benefits can be enjoyed by the 1.1 million people living in the Intervention Area.

It will encourage and facilitate new models of service in Health, Education and in Enterprise and help communities to benefit from new economic activities. More people will be able to work remotely, receive services in their own homes, and have access to technologies that will make for smarter living, learning, farming and business.

The deployment of the network will quickly bring tangible benefits to those living in rural areas. In Year 1 communities will be able to avail of high speed broadband services at over 300 Broadband Connection Points in rural locations around the country.

The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 home and business premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.

No matter where a person lives in Ireland, the National Broadband Plan will ensure equality of opportunity to fully participate in the digital society

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date on the national broadband scheme; when contracts will be signed for the scheme and commence the roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42277/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Since 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 Bidder will commence the deployment of the network shortly after that.

The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment. A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed.

In the first year of roll out, approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed in each county. Broadband Connection Points will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations.

The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.

In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.

My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.