Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projected roll-out of the National Broadband Plan for counties Cavan and Monaghan for 2021; the measures that will be implemented to offset the delays that have occurred in this roll-out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32791/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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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 42,335 premises in County Cavan of which 26,061 are in the commercial area and 16,274 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. There are 33,465 premises in County Monaghan of which 18,133 are in the commercial area and 15,332 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 Cavan, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill.  Main works are ongoing outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, and Caughoo. In County Monaghan almost 70% of premises in the Intervention Area have been surveyed to date. Premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, Stranooden, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown, Killymarley, Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore and Clonooney.

Main works have commenced in the Monaghan Deployment Area which covers approximately 4,355 premises. This includes the areas of Ballagh, Stranodden, Drumloo, Aghaboy, Kilcorran, Annagola, Brookvale, Cloghernagh, Feebane, Gortakeeghan, Mullandavagh and Selloo.​ NBI anticipates that these premises will be passed and available for connection later this year. I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 June, nearly 4,400 homes are passed and available for connection to the NBI high speed broadband in Counties Cork and Cavan. Some 3,580 premises are passed and are available for connection in County Cavan.  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.

While substantial progress has been made to date, 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. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.

Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan and Monaghan 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 in County Cavan include Templeport Community Centre, Kildallan Parish Hall, Mullahoran Community Centre, Drumavaddy Community Centre, Glengevlin Community Hall, Gallonray House, Castlerahan Community Centre, Cornafean Community Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Killenkere Leisure Centre. BCPs installed in County Monaghan include Tullycorbet Parish Hall, Corcaghan Community Centre, Monaghan GAA Centre Of Excellence, Mullyash Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Ballybay Wetlands, Carn Resource Centre, Latton Resource Centre, Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Corduff Community Centre and St. Patrick’s Accommodation Centre.

Corlea National School, Laragh National School, Kildallan National School, Saint Patrick's School and Greaghrahan National School are installed in County Cavan as part of this initiative. Annalitten National School, Connons National School, Drumcorrin National School, Drumgossatt National School, Saint Mary's School and Saint Brigid’s National School are installed in County Monaghan 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 .