Written answers
Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
National Broadband Plan
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan regarding offshore islands; if work has commenced on analysing the needs of the islands and on surveying; when the roll-out of the plan will commence on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6639/21]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which includes the islands and covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed under the National Broadband Plan. Surveying is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This informs design solutions for provision of the fibre network to each and every premises in the surveyed area and leads to detailed designs. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. I understand that surveying is expected to commence in a number of islands later this year.
Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 30 January, 260 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and by the Department of Education for schools. Further details can be found at .
My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP which includes the Islands. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at .
The following table sets out the BCP sites that have been installed, connected or are in planning on the Islands.
| Site Name | Eircode | County | Installed | Connected | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLARE ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE | F28KP99 | MAYO | Yes | Yes | - |
| BERE ISLAND HERITAGE CENTRE | P75W660 | CORK | Yes | Yes | - |
| SHERKIN ISLAND COMMUNITY HALL | P81AE02 | CORK | Yes | In Planning | - |
| COLÁISTE PHOBAL CLÉIRE | P81P627 | CORK | Yes | In Planning | - |
| SCOIL CAOMHAIN | H91C967 | GALWAY | Yes | In Planning | Yes |
| COMHAR NA NOILEÁN | H91D27X | GALWAY | Yes | Yes | - |
| INISHBOFIN COMMUNITY CENTRE | H91TC6C | GALWAY | In planning | In Planning | - |
| KILRONAN LIBRARY | H91WN93 | GALWAY | Yes | In Planning | - |
| Cable Station | V23H685 | KERRY | Yes | Yes | - |
| TORY CO-OP | F92FD66 | DONEGAL | Yes | Yes | - |
| CHAPELTOWN | V23H240 | KERRY | Yes | Yes | - |
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Wicklow in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6640/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Dublin in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6641/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Meath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6642/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Tipperary in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6643/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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56. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Galway in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6644/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Roscommon in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6645/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Longford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6646/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Westmeath in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6647/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Offaly in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6648/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Waterford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6649/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Leitrim in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6650/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Sligo in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6651/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Cavan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6652/21]
Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Monaghan in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when surveying in the county will be complete; and when the first connections will be made. [6653/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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70. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Donegal in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6772/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Mayo in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6773/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Clare in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6774/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Kerry in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6775/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Limerick in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6776/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Cork in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6777/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Wexford in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6778/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Carlow in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6779/21]
Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas of County Kilkenny in which surveying for the national broadband plan is taking place or has taken place; when it is envisaged surveying in the county will be complete; and when it is anticipated that the first connections will be made. [6780/21]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 65, inclusive, and 70 to 78, inclusive, together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed under the National Broadband Plan. The following table sets out those areas where surveys have been completed or surveys are underway in each of the counties referenced in the Questions.
| County | Surveys Completed/Surveying Underway |
|---|---|
| Carlow | Downings, Ballymurphy, Coppenagh, Killerig, Friarstown, Slaney Quarter, Kilmagarvoge, Muinebheag, Ballinkillen, Garryhill, Knockdrumagh, Drumphea, Coshill, Borris, Ballyphenan, Ballymurphy, Tinnecarrig, Goolin, Ballyling, Glynn, St Mullins, Hollybrook, Myshall, Lismaconly, Cappawater. |
| Cavan | Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun, Erne Hill. |
| Clare | Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas, Cloghrea, Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Broadford, Clontra. |
| Cork | Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount, Caherbarnagh. |
| Donegal | Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin, Tommyscroft. |
| Dublin | Areas around Fingal, Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Clonsilla, Ongar, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Cabra, Bluebell, Finglas, Skerries, Balbriggan. |
| Galway | Oranmore, Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Furbo, Barna, areas around Ballinasloe (including Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell and Ahascragh), Inverin, Spiddal, Bealadangan, Costelloe, Rossaveel, Derroe, Carraroe, Sruthan, Loughrea, Kilnadeema, Kilchreest, Clostoken, Carrabane, Bullaun, Kilreekill, Heathlawn. |
| Kerry | Townlands around Killarney (including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar), Tralee, Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine, Ardfert, Rathmore, Knocknacopple, Mounthorgan, Kilquane Upper, Barraduff, Cloonteens, Gneevgullia, Tureenamult, Renasup, Castlegregory, Aughacasla, Camp, Knockbrack, Maum, Lougher, Inch, Annascaul, Derrygorman, Ballyglasheen, Brackluin, Ballintarmon, Drom, An Clochan, Kilshannig, Fahamore, Candeehy, Breanainn, Ballyheigue, Glenderry, Ladywell, Banna, Lerrig, Ballymacandrew, Causeway, Foxfort, Ballymacaquinn, Ballincloher, Dromartin, Beenconeen. |
| Kilkenny | Kilkenny, Grevine, Creenkill,Castlewarren, Cellarstown, Bennetsbridge, Brownstown, Drumerrin, Kilcreen, Lyrath, Tullowglass, Tullaroan, Dicksborough, Sheepstown, Templemartin. |
| Leitrim | Areas around Carrick-on Shannon.Tullybeg, Leitrim Village, Mong, Foxborough, Lismannagh, Drumsha, Clogher, Drishoge, Lisnagat. |
| Limerick | Killalee, Caherline, Ballynanty, Pallaskenny, Toreen, Old Kildimo, Askeaton, Adare, Croagh, Rathkeale, Kilfinny, Croom, Ballingarry, Patrickswell, Crecora, Banogue Cross, Granagh, Lees Cross, Ballykennedy. |
| Longford | Drumlish, Ennybegs, Moat Farrell, Cullyfad, Longford Town, Newtownforbes, Cloondara, Stonepark, Ardagh, Moydow, Kilashee. |
| Mayo | Aghagower, Ballyhean, Breaghwy, Burren, Castlebar, Clogher, Cloonkeen, Croaghmoyle, Islandeady, Killavally, Manulla, Pontoon, Strade, Tawnynagry, Turlough, Drumsheen, Bunnyconnellan, Ballina Town, Carrowntreila, Ardagh, Campbells Crossroads, Rosserk, Shanvoley, Derryhick, Kilhale, Tawnylaheen, Turlough, Ballyvary, Keeloges, Castlebar Town, Rinnaseer, Bellaburke, Killawullaun Mountain, Carn, Carnacon, Ballyglass, Belcarra, Balla, Ringarraun, Newport, Carrowbeg, Inishgort, Inishcottle, Myna, Fahy, Ashbridge, Glenisland, Srahmore, Glenhest, Comploon, Slogger, Tawnameeltoge. |
| Meath | Gormanstown, Stamullan, Kilbride, Kilcloon, Clonee and Dunboyne. |
| Monaghan | Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, Stranooden, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley, Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore, Clonooney. |
| Offaly | Brosna, Shinrone, Mount Heaton and areas close to the county boundary with Tipperary. |
| Roscommon | Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky, Fourmilehouse. |
| Sligo | Ballintogher, Ballysadare, Calry, Carney, Collooney, Drumcliff, Kilmacowen, Rosses Point, Rahaberna, Lisduff, the outskirts of Sligo town, Clogherevagh, Tobercurry, Ballymote, Sligo Town, Enniscrone, Aghamore Near, Carrowcrin, Strandhill, Culshera, Kilmactranny. |
| Tipperary | Tipperary (and the surrounding townlands of Aherloe, Ballinalard and Bansha), Roscea, Cashel, Townspark, Boherlahan, Goolds Cross, Knockavilla, Garrenroe, Camus Bridge, Golden, Shanballa, Dogstown, Racecourse Cross, Rosegreen, Knockbrett, Mayfield, Boscobell, Dualla. |
| Waterford | Waterford, Ballinakill, Cheekpoint, Waterford City, Passage East, Kilmeaden, Dunmore East, Tramore. |
| Westmeath | Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown, and Athlone |
| Wexford | Castle Ellis, Kilbride, Ballyhuskard, Bridgetown, Whitechurch, Taghmon, Ballykelly, Barntown, Castlebridge, Bunclody, Clohamon, Kilmyshall, Ballyroebuck, Ballybeg, Tombrack, Ferns, Ballycarney, Castledockrell, Kiltealy, Ballindaggan, Templeshanbo, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, Davidstown, Courtnacuddy, Rathnure, Killann, Caim. |
| Wicklow | Powerscourt, Kilmacanoge, Calary, Greystones, Newcastle, Delgany, Killiskey, Glenealy, Kilcoole, parts of Roundwood, Townlands in Blessington Area, Lackan, Lugglass, Hollywood, Rathdrum, Redcross, Tigroney, Bardarrig, Cloghogue, Johnstown, Templerainey, Barranisky, Brittas Bay, Three-Mile-Water, Ballykippogue, Kilcoole, Blainroe, Tubbervilla, Glenealy, Hawkstown, Dunbur, Wicklow Town, Rathnew. |
Surveying is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This informs design solutions for provision of the fibre network to each and every premises in the surveyed area and leads to detailed designs. Survey data is also needed to initiate pre-works which pave the way for the deploying of fibre. Pre-works involve construction of new duct routes, erection of poles, building chambers and tree trimming. On completion of these pre-works, the main construction works can commence. This involves deploying fibre overhead on poles and in underground ducts, splicing of fibre, and unblocking of ducts. Once the main construction works are completed and the appropriate level of testing has been undertaken, the fibre network can be commissioned and end users can order their connection. In general, this end to end process can typically take between 15 and 18 months.
Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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