Written answers

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

National Broadband Plan

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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44. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a property (details supplied) is not included in the intervention area for the roll-out of fibre optic cables even though the area is currently being surveyed and cables are being laid to service the neighbouring homes. [8219/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

The premises referred to in the Question is currently located in the BLUE area on the High Speed Broadband Map. Investigations by my Department indicate, however, that the premises is located in an area where other neighbouring premises are in the Intervention Area. It appears that this premises may not have been included in the AMBER area due to an anomaly. If the conclusion of the investigation is that the premises should be included in the Intervention Area then it will be and the High Speed Broadband Map will be updated to reflect this. Importantly, as the network will pass all houses on the road, there is no question of anyone being left behind.

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will examine the broadband connectivity issues that are occurring in Blackhall, Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when access to high-speed broadband will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8266/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

The premises referred to in the Questions 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. 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.

My Department has, however, looked into the matters raised and I understand that the premises are included in the area covered by the eir 300k rollout of rural fibre to the home. I am advised that eir has indicated it is currently engaging with the local authority to resolve an issue that has delayed the rollout of this fibre broadband network.

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