Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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976. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of broadband connection points per county; the number of those that are actively live; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5040/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are among the first deliverables of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and will provide high-speed broadband connectivity to publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated areas of the country, including a number of our off-shore islands.  The sites will be provided with a high-speed broadband service for onsite community use. 

After a site survey, BCPs are provided with a high-speed wireless connection by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company contracted to deliver the NBP in the State intervention area.  Vodafone Ireland then install the customer premises equipment (control boxes/switches and wifi access points) which enables broadband services to be provided. 

Once both NBI and Vodafone equipment has been installed and its performance approved by my Department, the site is declared 'live' and made available for public use.

At present, 264 sites have been identified for site surveys and installation as publicly accessible BCPs. As of 26th January, 151 sites are in progress, with 113 BCPs declared 'live'. These sites are summarised by county in the table below. 

NBI and Vodafone continue to install sites on a daily basis. In addition, applications for additional BCPs continue to be received by my Department. These applications will be assessed and approved, where appropriate, for inclusion in the BCP programme at the earliest possible opportunity. 

Full details of the BCP locations, both installed and planned, including on the islands, can be found at .

In addition to the substantial Government investment already made in the BCPs, an additional €5 million has been allocated to my Department this year under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the development of remote working facilities at hubs and BCPs throughout the country.  I hope to be in a position to announce details of this scheme shortly.