Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural digital connectivity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27947/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While the provision of telecommunications services, both fixed and mobile, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, as Minister for Rural and Community Development I have a clear interest in connectivity in rural and underserved areas.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the single greatest impact that we can make to digital connectivity in rural areas is already in train: the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The NBP will be delivered through commercial investment by telecoms operators and other companies, and a State intervention in those areas is not considered commercially viable.

Among the first premises to be connected under the NBP are Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). These are typically publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated areas, including many of our off-shore islands.

BCPs are provided with a high-speed broadband connection for community use. My Department, in partnership with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, National Broadband Ireland and Vodafone Ireland will support the c.300 sites in the national BCP network for the next three years. There are currently 178 sites fully connected and ready for community use.

During the lifetime of the BCP initiative we will assist sites to develop their digital services. In this regard, my officials are currently planning pilot projects to test the feasibility of eHealth, education and training, remote working, and arts and culture initiatives.

My Department also co-funds the WiFi4EU initiative in Ireland. WiFi4EU is an EC initiative that supports the provision of Wi-Fi services in centres of public life, such as libraries and town squares. My Department has effectively doubled the funding available in Ireland, assisting local authorities to establish a nationwide network of c.2,000 Wi-Fi hotspots that will be free to use.

Lastly, my Department is working with the Local Government Management Agency and Microsoft to trial Airband TVWS technology in Ireland. This pilot project will test the viability of the ‘sharing’ of broadband in rural areas using unused radio spectrum.