Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the delay in the roll out of broadband in Kilcrea, Donabate given the rollout was to be completed in 2022 and has been delayed a number of times since then, with no definite date for this to be rolled out and with workers trying to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40015/24]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.

The Question refers to an area located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/. The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.

Commercial Fixed line operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and SIRO are delivering high-speed broadband services in the blue area/ non-intervention area of the map.

The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at Network Map - NBI.

This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time.

It provides potential customers with indicative dates, based on the best information available at any given time. However, with the complexity of building the Network alongside specific circumstances that may arise that are out of NBI's control, dates are subject to change. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

NBI have advised my Department that they are currently facing challenges in this specific DA- Donabate / Portrane Deployment Area, which is affecting the anticipated connection timeframe. Build works were to be completed by third-party infrastructure in September 2023. Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), NBI is contractually obligated to re-use existing third-party infrastructure, such as poles and ducts.

During the Network Build Stage, the third party is responsible for clearing and replacing poles and clearing ducts to align to the agreed standards. Regrettably challenges have occurred during the completion of these works by the third party, which has significantly impacted NBI’s ability to proceed with the build in this DA.

Given these delays, while the current estimated timeframe for connection is between April 2025 and June 2025, NBI has advised that it is likely to be later. As NBI have further confirmation of timeframes they will publish it to their website.