Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will give detailed consideration to a recent briefing note of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly: Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region, June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In December 2022, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy was published which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and set out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.

The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,400 homes each month. I am advised by NBI that over 373,900 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 132,200 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.

With regard to Digital Connectivity in Donegal County Council listed as a priority in Appendix 2 of the Regional Assembly Briefing Note, I have been advised by NBI that over 20,800 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 22,423 available to order/pre-order in County Donegal, with 4,644 premises now connected. A further circa 13,180 premises in County Donegal will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract. Further details are available on specific counties and areas can be monitored via . NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial mobile operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved. The roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).