Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
173. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the date for completion of the final of roll-out of the national broadband scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3423/26]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland and will be delivered through investment by commercial enterprises coupled with intervention by the State in those parts of the country (Intervention Area) where private companies have no plans to invest. The Intervention Area is identified by the AMBER area on the high-speed broadband map which is available on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/.
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.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and Siro in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State in the non-intervention area which is identified by the BLUE area on the high-speed broadband map ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) 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 2026. Over 161,687 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
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.
