Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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53. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the work of the Broadband Mobile Phone Taskforce, particularly the work being carried out in providing alternatives for persons who are waiting for broadband connection for up to five years under the NBP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62056/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established in December 2021 with an inaugural meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders. In April 2022 we held a full meeting of the Taskforce with both State and Industry representatives. After this meeting the Terms of Reference and Work Programme for 2022-2023 were agreed and published on gov.ie.

The most recent meeting of The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce took place on November 16th 2022. The purpose of the meeting was for action holders to provide a progress update on the status of each of their actions. I am pleased with the progress to date and the willingness of all stakeholders to engage with the Taskforce.

The actions in the Work Programme relate to improving mobile phone coverage in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licensing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes, and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.

This iteration of the Taskforce will meet biannually and will meet again in Quarter 2 of 2023. Prior to the next meeting of the Taskforce an Annual Stakeholder Forum will be held in Quarter 1 of 2023. This forum presents an opportunity for state and industry colleagues to come together and take part in panel discussions, presentations and to meet in a less formal setting than the biannual Taskforce meetings.

As of 2nd December 2022, 101,738 premises across 25 counties are able to avail of a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland. In addition, I understand that Eir are in the process of extending their fibre services to 1.9m premises, Siro has passed 450,000 premises with fibre services with another 320,000 premises planned, and Virgin Media plan to bring gigabit broadband to 1m premises.

Notwithstanding these achievements, Minister Smyth and I are determined to see future-proofed high-speed broadband services available to all premises as quickly as possible. Accordingly, through the Taskforce officials of both Departments are engaging proactively with public sector and industry representatives to identify obstacles to improved services and taking action as appropriate.

Separately to the work of Taskforce, my Department is working closely with Minister Smyth’s Department to roll out a national network of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) in areas with poor broadband coverage. To date, 290 of 300 Public BCPs have been installed and are live and in use. My officials will continue to work with local communities to develop the services at BCPs throughout 2023.

Lastly, I would highlight the role of the local authority Broadband Officers. These officers, co-funded by my Department and arising from an early action of the Taskforce, are tasked with supporting local residents, their elected representatives and the telecoms operators to accelerate telecommunications development where appropriate. Broadband Officers are that first port of call for those experiencing difficulties with connectivity. BBOs have expert local knowledge in terms of broadband availability and mobile coverage and can provide practical advice and support.

The most recent data from ComReg shows a marked increase in fibre to the premises (FTTP) connections in Ireland (+36% year on year); data that speaks to the work of Broadband Officers but also the investments made to date by this Government and industry.