Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way a company (details supplied) plans to catch up on the Covid-19 related delays to the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the expected timeframe for these works; the connection figures it is working to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40991/21]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plan in relation to the acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; the way the roll-out will move from a six to seven year plan to a four to five year plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40992/21]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the complete roll-out plan for the National Broadband Plan for all premises across the State will be available given the Covid-19 related delays and the statements regarding acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40993/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 141 together.

Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as of 21 July over 236,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering a total of 92,000 premises. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected  and I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July, over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway and available for order and preorder. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month. In total over 19,000 premises can preorder via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick.

Further details are available on specific areas 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties at the end of August.

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 staffs 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. As a result of this plan, NBI now expects to pass just under 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. NBI has committed to putting in place mitigation measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the programme to date.

In line with the Programme for Government NBI and my Department are also engaged in a review of potential measures that can be taken to accelerate the network rollout in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19. My Department is currently engaging with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Minister Ryan has recently written to NBI seeking to put the acceleration of the programme on a contractual footing. This will require detailed technical, commercial and financial analysis and these considerations are underway.

I expect to be in a position to bring an update to Government on progress on delivery of the NBP and the potential for acceleration in the Autumn.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his current or future engagements with telecommunications and broadband providers regarding interim solutions for areas at the later end of the National Broadband Plan roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/21]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will establish a clearing house for telecommunications and broadband companies to offer interim solutions for premises at the later end of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions in relation to connectivity and potential future infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40995/21]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will establish a clearing house for premises at the later end of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to assist premises in exploring their broadband and connectivity options ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40996/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143 and 144 together.

The NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. In doing so NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies utilised do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved. These considerations are a matter for NBI in the first instance given its responsibility to deliver the State led intervention under the contract with the State.

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 15 July, 335 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. These will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main deployment under the NBP. The planned BCP locations are in places of community importance, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places.

In relation to mobile coverage, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available at coveragemap.comreg.ie/map), which can help consumers choose the network provider that best meets their needs for where they live, work and travel. ComReg has also published the results of tests carried out on mobile/smartphone handsets currently available in Ireland (available at comreg.ie/publication/mobile-handset-performance-data). These findings will further allow consumers to make informed decisions based on the handsets which best address their needs. ComReg is currently managing the next spectrum award process for wireless broadband services. This spectrum will enable mobile operators to further enhance their services throughout the country. 

The work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has successfully targeted actions that support the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas. Key achievements of the Taskforce to date have included:

 Over 1,000 km of ducting installed nationwide, enabling operators to expand their networks along the road network route.

- The revision of the Guidelines for Managing Openings in Public Roads (the ‘Purple Book’)

- Removal of development contributions and the introduction of planning exemptions for new telecoms technology, enabling infrastructure rollout where previously not considered viable.

- A single centralised process and online resource for road opening licences to facilitate deployment.

- The launch of a series of pilot projects nationwide to tackle blackspots.

The future work programme of the Taskforce, which is currently being finalised, will seek to build on the work to date, against the backdrop of the rollout of the NBP, together with the significant recent and ongoing investment by commercial operators and the spectrum award process that is being managed by ComReg at this time.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises currently connected through the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan by county in tabular form; the number of premises yet to be connected; the projected yearly figures for connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as of 21 July over 236,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering a total of 92,000 premises. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline, Co Cork, Cavan and Galway. I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month.

NBI is a wholesale provider which means it makes the  network available to Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to connect and provide the service to end users. There are now 45 RSPs signed up to offer services on the NBI network to customers across Ireland, which will create greater competition, choice and value to consumers. RSPs are actively selling on the NBI Network with over 19,000 premises now available for order and preorder through local broadband service providers.

NBI will only connect end users once orders are placed with retail service providers. There can be a significant time lag from the time premises are passed with fibre to when an end user might seek a connection to their home. This can be for many reasons - end users may be tied into contracts for up to two years with their current providers, some homes may be unoccupied for periods of time, some end users simply take more time than others before they decide to seek a connection. Ultimately, NBI expect the majority of homes and businesses in each deployment area to be connected within the next five to 10 years as demand for fibre ramps up and as the legacy copper network is switched off across the State.

NBI expects to pass circa 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. 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. Consequently and in light of ongoing discussions regarding the potential to accelerate the programme, targets for the remaining years of the programme are subject to further discussion and negotiation.

Further details are available on specific areas 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties at the end of August.