Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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712. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has made recent introductions between local authority broadband officers and satellite broadband companies regarding broadband connectivity at a location (details supplied); the options available in this area regarding alternative broadband services; the steps she has taken in terms of rural broadband for this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3523/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Broadband Officer role was established in 2016 on foot of a recommendation of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The role is intended to act as a single point of contact between telecoms operators and local authorities, between the local authority and members of the public and internally, between local authority business units. My department co-funds the employment costs of Broadband Officers. Broadband Officers have made a significant impact on the provision of telecoms services in the state, particularly in rural and under-served areas.

As a national network, the Broadband Officers' Telecommunications Action Group (TAG) meets 10 times a year to discuss national, regional and sectoral developments, and to exchange information, experiences and ideas. TAG meetings are arranged by my department and are attended by Broadband Officers and their local authority colleagues, officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and representatives of telecoms companies involved in current projects - for example, NBI (National Broadband Plan) and Vodafone Ireland (Broadband Connection Point initiative) are regular attendees.

Guest speakers are invited to present to Broadband Officers, including telecoms providers. These have, over the years, included satellite services providers, including at the most recent TAG meeting on 20 January 2022.

The department has not made an introduction between the local authority broadband officer and a satellite provider in respect to the address provided.

It should be noted that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for telecoms policy, regulation and implementation. Notwithstanding this, officials at my department work closely with the Tipperary Broadband Officer on a number of innovative solutions to connectivity issues, including the Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative and the National Hub Network (connectedhubs.ie). Tipperary currently has 16 live BCPs and 4 more planned for completion soon.

I am aware that there are two Broadband Connection Points within 11km of the address provided, both of which are live and operational and ready to use. These are publicly accessible sites for onsite community use. Locations of all live and planned BCPs may be found at www.myconnectedcommunity.ie

With regard to the options available to those living in areas with poor connectivity, I would advise in the first instance that contact is made with the local authority Broadband Officer. The Broadband Officers in each of the local authority areas have excellent knowledge of the infrastructure and services available and can, if necessary, escalate issues to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.