At page 46 of the programme for Government, the Government which was then forming stated that it had expected to have a contract signed by June last year to roll out high-speed broadband to the 540,000 homeowners and premises across the State which do not have access through the commercial market. I notice the Taoiseach is looking around. If the Minister, Deputy Naughten, was there, he would probably enlighten us about the number of places connected on a daily basis through the good work of commercial contractors. What I want is some indication as to when the Government expects to sign a contract with a company to roll out that high-speed broadband over the next couple of years to those 540,000 homes and premises.

I call Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and Deputy Michael Moynihan on the same matter.

When will the Minister, Deputy Naughten, appoint the contractor for the national broadband plan? The procurement process is in its final stages but when will the contractor be appointed? This is a matter of huge importance for businesses and homes. Having proper broadband in places of work and houses is as important as having electricity, water or sewerage connections. The Taoiseach knows that himself.

It is crucial. In 2014, which is four years ago, the then Minister, former Deputy Pat Rabbitte, gave a commitment that a State aid exemption was being applied for and that a contract would be put in place. It is crucial for people. Other Members have raised this morning the issue of balanced redevelopment. Every single person living in areas which do not have proper broadband services is entitled to access. Given our way of life now, it is as important as any other infrastructural project yet I see no urgency from the Government. I appeal to the Taoiseach to tackle this matter head on because it is crucial as we go forward.

I accept that this is taking far too long and that it is enormously frustrating for everyone waiting for broadband connections in their homes. We anticipate that the contract will be signed this year and probably in the middle of the year. However, it is a very complex and complicated contract, much more so than people might have anticipated. Certainly, the best thing to do now is stick with it and get it signed this year rather than to go back to square one.

Does the Taoiseach accept that this is a significant delay which has not been announced and, as such, that this is new information he is giving the House?

It is a significant delay but the contract will be signed this year. We anticipate that it will be signed by the Minister this year.

Is that January?

How many more years?

Please, Deputies, for the Taoiseach.

There is a process to be followed and it is a complicated contract which must be tendered. Notwithstanding that, when the Government of Fine Gael and Independents came to office, approximately 52% of premises in Ireland had access to high-speed broadband, which figure is up to approximately 66% now. It will be 75% by the end of the year.

The Government wants to keep the recovery going, does it not?

Notwithstanding the fact that we are struggling to get this contract sorted for those really important 500,000 premises, we are making progress.