William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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1360. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to accelerate the roll out of high-speed broadband in underserved rural communities; the means by which his Department is coordinating with the National Broadband Plan to ensure timely delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42647/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.

I am advised by NBI that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area (IA) and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI has also passed over 381,000 premises in the intervention area and are connecting circa 4,400 premises to their fibre network per month. NBI expect to have passed over 420,000 premises by end of 2025.

NBI also advise that 411,235 premises, across all counties in mainly rural areas, can now order or pre-order broadband and over 136,730 premises are already connected.

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.

Based on current plans and achievements, the Department expect to deliver the deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.