Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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996. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when an area (details supplied) will receive broadband. [4831/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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​The Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).  Deployment activities related to the National Broadband Plan (NBP) are continuing in line with the advice provided by Government and the HSE during the Covid-19 event and key mobilisation and design activities continue to be progressed.

All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass approximately 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. 

Further information on deployment activities is available on NBI’s website () and potential customers for High Speed Broadband within the AMBER area can now record an expression of interest through the NBI website to receive updates on progress with the roll out. 

To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) are scheduled to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment.  The planned BCP locations, including school library hubs and local sports are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie.  It should be noted that some BCP locations may be subject to change. 

These BCPs will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised. The BCPdelivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing, which will facilitate detailed design and installation.