Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
154. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the numbers of homes/premises that are connected to high speed broadband under national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3421/26]
View answerIn 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.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is also being made by commercial operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and Siro in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State in the non-intervention areas ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, over 443,370 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. The remaining circa 124,000 premises will be passed by the end of the network deployment. Over 161,680 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
I have also been advised by National Broadband Ireland that over 11,900 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available to order/pre-order in the Deputy’s own county of Laois, with over 5,000 premises now connected. A further circa 1,000 premises in County Laois will be passed by National Broadband Ireland’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the network deployment.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Laois which can be monitored via National Broadband Ireland’s website www.nbi.ie. National Broadband Ireland also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that National Broadband Ireland provide this information for County Laois based on their deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
