Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband will be provided to areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is a policy initiative that covers commercial deployments and also a State led intervention in areas where it was not viable for commercial operators to deploy high speed broadband networks.

The premises referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.  These BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.

Of the eight premises referenced, five (Ardpatrick, Glenroe , Anglesboro, Kilteely and Rathkeale) have already been passed with fibre by commercial operators and will therefore not come within the remit of the National Plan. The other three premises referenced will require more detailed analysis. My Department will engage the relevant commercial operator to confirm what service is currently available and liaise with the Department of Rural and Community Development, who manage the selection of Broadband Connection Points. 

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a company (details supplied) cannot put working broadband in place in particular in County Cavan. [22261/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.

Given the difficulties highlighted in this question, my Department will investigate the local issues relating to this query to establish what options are available.