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

3454. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of her Department regarding the Mobile Broadband Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41048/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was launched in July 2016 with the objective of improving access to high-quality mobile phone coverage and broadband services in rural Ireland. The Taskforce consists of representatives from a number of Government departments and agencies and is supported in its work by Telecommunications Industry Ireland and the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Over the operational lifetime of the Taskforce, it has addressed more than 70 targeted actions, worked on removing structural barriers to telecommunications deployment and addressed mobile coverage deficits, particularly in rural areas. Work on many of these actions continues, led by the action owners and supported by other Taskforce members.

Significant progress has been made by the Taskforce, although I am aware that there remains a range of strategic issues that will require multiple Government Department and agencies working together in order to solve.

As the Taskforce’s 2019 Work Programme has ended, attention has now turned towards the future orientation of the Taskforce, which will be informed by relevant Programme for Government commitments.

Officials in my Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have prepared a report on the Taskforce’s achievements and are currently evaluating which issues should be addressed by the Taskforce in the future.

Since its inception, the implementation and overseeing of the Taskforce has been, and remains, a joint commitment between the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and my Department. I will continue to work with my colleague the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to agree a new direction for the Taskforce, which will build on the success and positive engagement that has taken place across central government, local government, statutory agencies and industry.

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

3455. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the various forms of funding made available by her Department to local authorities regarding broadband connection points and remote working hubs; and the resources for areas that do not require broadband connection points for remote working due to the levels of connectivity. [41049/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative is a key element of the National Broadband Plan and of Our Rural Future. BCPs are local facilities typically located in rural and isolated areas without adequate broadband services. These sites are provided with temporary high-speed broadband connections which will remain in place until fibre services are available at the site. It is planned to put in place some 300 BCPs in total.

These local facilities provide onsite internet use to their communities, supporting a range of services and activities including eHealth, remote working, arts and culture, and training and education. Currently, there are 203 Broadband Connection Points live and in use with more sites added on a regular basis. The remaining sites are in the process of being surveyed, installed or tested. The map of live BCPs can be found at: myconnectedcommunity.ie/. My Department, and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, continues to support and invest in the BCP network.

Earlier this year I launched the Connected Hubs Fund. All BCPs and established hubs were able to apply for funding to increase capacity at their facilities. Last week I was delighted to announce 117 successful applicants were awarded a combined €8.8M, a significant increase on the €5M originally allocated to the Fund. The Fund not only supports hubs and BCPs to provide services to remote workers, but also promotes the National Hub Network and its shared resource, connectedhubs.ie

Since the platform launched, 121 hubs have signed on and are now using the platform. Furthermore, the number of hubs mapped through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased to 409. These can all be found at connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interactive map provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site.

Furthermore, since 2016 my Department has invested more than €50 million in the development of remote working facilities through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Investment in new remote working facilities will continue in 2021 through further calls for both schemes and I hope to add in additional schemes and supports for remote and co-working hubs, BCPs and other initiatives that help people to remain in their communities and encourage those living in the cities to consider a move to rural areas.