Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

83. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the National Broadband plan rollout will be complete in Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41391/24]

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.

These targets will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in National Broadband Ireland (NBI).

The Digital Connectivity Strategy will lead to more balanced regional development, supporting the green transition, facilitating greater access to regional talent and skills and will assist with the implementation of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, and Project Ireland 2040.

Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 21,380 homes and businesses in Cavan with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.4,919 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Cavan, with SIRO recently passing over 4,400 premises for full fibre.

Along with the progress made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State, the National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

I am advised by NBI that, over 300,180 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 99,583 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network.

In the Deputy’s own county of Cavan, over 9,725 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 9,744 available to order/pre-order, with 3,119 premises now connected. A further 7,725 premises within Cavan will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan can be monitored via . NBI has a dedicated email address, , which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

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

84. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41440/24]

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.

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

NBI are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month. 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 300,000 passed, which is over half of the premises in the intervention area.

I am advised by NBI that over 300,180 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 99,583 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan’s high-speed broadband network.

My Department has engaged with NBI at every opportunity to explore options that might increase the pace of rollout and has been working with Directors of Service and Broadband Officers from all Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Agency (CCMA), the Road Management Office (RMO) and other Government Departments, to ensure that any possible barriers that might delay the rollout are addressed as soon as possible. Engagement with other bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and ComReg has also been undertaken.

I understand that NBI are in regular discussions with eir, who are responsible for the remediation of eir poles, to increase the rate of pole replacement each month. NBI have also procured the necessary subcontractors, materials, and equipment to support the programme into the foreseeable future to ensure there are no bottlenecks in the supply chain that could interfere with the rollout.

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.

Identified barriers are dealt with through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force, which comprises State actors and industry representatives and is tasked with identifying and overcoming barriers to improved connectivity.