Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

248. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the requirement to have an Eircode for broadband installation can be removed temporarily to allow those awaiting an Eircode can have internet installed in their new homes to allow them to work remotely during Level 5 restrictions. [32521/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the importance of people being in a position to work remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly at a time where restrictions are in place and when people are relying much more on electronic communications services . I am advised that each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website (). A notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of the address and an Eircode Database, updated on a quarterly basis, is provided to licenced businesses for their use. However, I understand that on occasion, some delay may be experienced pending completion of that application process and confirmation of a new Eircode  in some service providers’ IT systems to facilitate matching of a specific  location with a new eircode, so as to subsequently  trigger the initiation of a broadband installation process.

While operational matters of private commercial operators, including the updating of databases and deployment of telecommunications infrastructure to specific premises, are a matter for these commercial operators and not one in which I have a role, my Department will  bring  this matter to the attention of ComReg in its role as independent telecommunications regulator.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if highspeed broadband upgrades are to take place in the Dún Laoghaire area particularly, but exclusively, from Patrick Street to Elton Park as currently the broadband service provided by a company (details supplied) is of insufficient strength signal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32563/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The area 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 . 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. Notwithstanding this, my Department has raised a query with the relevant service provider asking when network upgrades are planned for the area and I am advised that this location will fall under the upgrade for the Dun Laoghaire area which is currently forecast to begin in April 2021.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

250. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an Eircode can be assigned to an address (details supplied) in order to receive a broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32660/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode". Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings.  An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of  An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.

Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 119,600 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

An Post have informed my officials that they have updated the individual's address data on their systems and this information should then be issued from An Post GeoDirectory to Eircode. My Department has requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this new property address.