Written answers

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

National Broadband Plan

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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44. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the implementation of the National Broadband Plan is on schedule for 2021; if not, the measures which can be taken in order to expedite it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44060/21]

Photo of Matt ShanahanMatt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position in relation to the national broadband roll-out; the delays encountered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44217/21]

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the advances that have been made following Covid-19 delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44229/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress in the past year towards the extension of high-speed, high-quality broadband to all areas throughout the country; the degree to which the infill of gaps in the services is being tended to; the extent to which the programme continues in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44154/21]

Photo of Ossian SmythOssian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 45, 47 and 48 together.

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 and supply chain and logistic delays both nationally and internationally. In addition, there have been challenges with 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 had to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact.

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 for 2021. The impact on future years continues to be assessed.  NBI is putting in place mitigation measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the programme to date. These include

- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month

- Bringing in more resources to NBI

- Purchasing more materials earlier

- Bringing in more subcontractors

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 continues to engage 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. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the National Broadband Ireland build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.

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 3 September over 251,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering over 105,000 premises.

I am advised by NBI that, as of 3 September over 14,500 homes are passed and available for connection in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan.  In addition, over 7,000 premises can also pre-order via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and get a connection in the coming months. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has created many challenges, NBI has also faced many more complexities working with existing networks and subcontractors than initially envisaged. This is due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. This has included significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades and the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews while addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews are actually on the ground.

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