Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1372. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress to date in delivering high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million premises by 2026; the measures being taken to address remaining blackspots; how 5G and connected hubs policy will integrate with cultural and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

My Department is aware of some evidence emerging, based on engagements with ComReg and commercial operators, that a portion of premises in the commercial area that do not form part of the intervention area may prove not to be commercially viable in terms of being connected to a gigabit network by 2028. This matter is currently being examined to identify appropriate solutions.

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). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.

The connected hubs policy is under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. My officials have been advised by that Department that a new National Hubs Strategy is to be published later this year which will present a coherent and whole-of-government approach to the future development of digital hubs. The strategy will include measures to underpin the sustainable development of the network of remote working, enterprise and community digital hubs. This will contribute to balanced regional economic development, supporting remote working and providing access to digital services in rural communities.