Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update on the Broadband Connection Points Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27825/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Public BCP (Broadband Connection Point) programme is progressing well with 273 sites officially live and approximately 27 more to be declared live in the coming months. Sites are being completed almost every week and it is expected that around 300 sites will be live by the end of 2022.

My Department works closely with Local Authority Broadband Officers, colleagues at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and the two commercial partners, National Broadband Ireland and Vodafone, to complete each connection.

A large number of BCPs have also availed of funding under the Connected Hubs Call in 2021 and many have applied in 2022.

The usage of the sites is regularly monitored and continues to increase from month to month as more sites are connected and the awareness of the network grows.

As the site connection rate grows, the focus of the project is turning towards stimulating demand for use of the sites. There are a number of programmes being run to increase awareness of the public BCP network and improve the offering at each hub.

There are 4 thematic strands that are being developed at BCPs covering programmes related to remote working, arts and culture, eHealth and education and training. A number of programmes under these themes ran in 2021 and many are still ongoing, including coding for primary school children, painting classes and eHealth pods offering remote access to medical appointments.

This year, in consultation with Public BCP managers and the communities involved, my officials will draft a development strategy for the Public BCP Network. This strategy will guide decisions on future supports and opportunities to improve services.