Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Mbps at the address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10828/21]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

17. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed over 30 Mbps broadband at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10835/21]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason an address (details supplied) was not included in the roll-out of the national broadband plan given other providers are refusing to provide high speed broadband over 30 Mbps at this address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10836/21]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 17 and 18 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, raised queries regarding the premises in question with the network operator to get the current status for the locations referred to.As soon as a reply is received my Department will revert to the Deputy with an update.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

14. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises passed by National Broadband Ireland to date as part of the State-funded roll-out of high speed broadband; the number surveyed to date; the number of premises contracted to be passed in 2021 as part of this roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10829/21]

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

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 contract links the payment of subsidy to premises having been passed by the new fibre network and envisaged at the time of contract signing in November 2019 that 20% of premises could be passed by the end of the second contract year (which is the end of January 2022).

Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic throughout 2020 and which are continuing into this year, NBI has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by NBI that, as of 15 February 2021, over 178,000 premises across 26 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the target forecast by NBI. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Cavan. Technical testing and validation will be undertaken prior to a wider release of the areas.Build works are continuing across the country in 9 Deployment Areas, including a total of 34,405 premises, and "make ready" work is underway in a further 18 Deployment Areas that include a further 64,688 premises.

The Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale up, including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the obligations in the contract with the National Broadband Plan provider to provide forward information on when premises will be surveyed and then passed with fibre as part of the roll-out of fibre in rural Ireland; if he is satisfied that the winning bidder is fulfilling these commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/21]

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

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 NBP contract is a detailed document that provides for the design, build and operation of a national high speed broadband network by NBI and includes detailed provisions that are designed to protect the interests of the State and citizens. It contains extensive reporting requirements. My Department as the contracting authority manages all of the elements of contract governance and is satisfied that NBI is fulfilling their reporting requirements.

While the way in which NBI presents information on its website is not set out in the contract, I am advised that NBI are working to provide greater functionality and more detail on their website with a rolling update of network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.