Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all dwellings will be treated equally in relation to recent reports indicating that new rural houses without an alternative broadband provider may be subject to large costs as a deterrent to building in rural areas and that no house will be burdened with additional costs in the provision of fibre broadband to the home under the national broadband plan. [18897/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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There is no change, or proposed change, to processes or charges for connections under the National Broadband Plan for existing or new builds in rural locations. The National Broadband Plan contract provides for the provision of fibre for almost 537,000 premises, with provision to accommodate any newly constructed premises within the intervention area during the term of the contract. All premises in the Intervention Area (including new builds) connected by NBI will be subject to the standard wholesale connection charge, which is currently €100. This has not been changed nor is there any intention to change it.

In exceptional circumstances where the cost of connection exceeds €5,000, NBI through the retail provider can request the homeowner to contribute towards the excess cost. Such a scenario is considered unlikely and should it arise technical solutions will be explored to ensure the homeowner does not incur any additional charges.

The NBP network will offer those premises in the Intervention Area, 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 in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. 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.