Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he is satisfied regarding investment in broadband infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41662/24]

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 target that all premises in the State will have access to gigabit broadband by 2028 is on track and will be met through a combination of commercial investment and state funding.

Recent ComReg data shows that as of Quarter 2, 2024, there are 2.5m premises in the State and about 81% now have FTTP and / or cable broadband available.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is currently rolling out a high speed and future-proofed broadband network through its Contract with the Minister.

NBI remain ahead of contractual targets having passed 205,638 premises by the end of 2023 and the end of 2024 target has been met, with over 300,180 passed which is over half of the premises in the Intervention Area.

I am advised by NBI that over 99,583 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network, with approximately 7,034 connection orders pending.

Where fibre has been available from NBI since 2021 the take up has reached 40%. There are currently over 4,200 premises connecting to the NBP network and this monthly connection number is expected to be over the average per month during 2024.

The National Broadband Plan is one of the most successful and impactful infrastructure projects in the history of the State. The benefits of the digital transition are felt right across the country – in every home, farm and school.

Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved on time and within budget.