Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband in Blarney, County Cork. [29422/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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There are 79,669 premises in the Intervention Area in County Cork which will receive access to high speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan, including the area of Blarney. I am advised that as of 27 May, 22,765 (28.6%) of these premises have been surveyed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI). Surveying is the first step to delivering the new fibre network and informs design solutions for fibre network provision. I appreciate people’s frustration when they are living so close to but cannot obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver this is underway.

I am advised by NBI that surveys are completed or ongoing in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick. Surveys have started Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Main works are ongoing in  Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown.  Preworks are ongoing in Midleton.The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Cavan with almost 4,000 premises passed and available for connection to date.

Further details are available on specific areas in Cork through the NBI website www.NBI.ie which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website.

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 27 May, 317 Broadband Connection Points sites have been installed by NBI. A number of BCPs are connected in County Cork  including Laharn Heritage Centre, Ballindangan Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, Clogagh Community Hall,T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Sherkin Island Community Hall, Glash Community Centre, Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Coláiste Phobal Cléire, Lissavard Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre and Castletownkenneigh Community Centre

Clogagh National School and Ballycroneen National School are installed as part of this initiative.