Written answers

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

National Broadband Plan

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

203. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in Cork city and county; the number of premises in Cork city and county that are now connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/21]

Photo of Ossian SmythOssian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, 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.There are 274,505 premises in County Cork of which 194,836 (71%) are in the commercial area and 79,669 (29%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 10 June 2021, over 225,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh.  Main works are ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Pre-build works are ongoing in Midleton.

The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Cavan and in Carrigaline, County Cork. I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 June nearly 4,400 homes are passed and available for connection in both Counties Cork and Cavan. In County Cork, 871 premises have now been passed by the NBI high speed broadband network in Carriagline. NBI anticipates that the remaining premises in the Carrigaline Deployment Area will be able to access connection to the network in July of this year. A further 15,000 premises can also pre-order via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick and get a connection in the coming months.

Further details are available on specific areas within Cork 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 when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.

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 10 June, 325 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, Clogagh Community Hall, T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Ballindangan Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Sherkin Island Community Hall, Coláiste Phobal Cléire, Glash Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre and Castletownkenneigh Community Centre.

Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are installed as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan 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 www.nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.