Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
197. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the final expected cost of the national broadband scheme to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3422/26]
View answerIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
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 National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, over 443,370 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 161,680 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
The maximum cost to the State for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) programme is €2.7 billion over 25 years, including €480 million for additional conditional subsidy and contingency costs. The NBP remains on schedule and within budget.
