I want to raise the issue of broadband roll-out with the Taoiseach. This is critical infrastructure for homes and businesses across Roscommon, Galway and many rural areas across the State. We know that the target for National Broadband Ireland, NBI, for 2021 was reduced from 115,000 premises to 60,000. Both targets have been missed by a mile. We know that 34,500 premises were completed by the end of last year. There are no penalties built in when milestones are missed, unfortunately. Clearly, there is a real issue here when just over 34,000 premises were connected last year. I know that Covid-19 has been used as a reason. However, another telecommunications company, Eir, did not miss its targets last year and, in fact, it exceeded them. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to accelerate the roll-out. Can the Taoiseach tell me what the target is for this year? Will what was missed last year be caught up on? Where are we at now in broadband roll-out for homes and businesses across rural communities where it is so badly needed and overdue?

The roll-out of the contract that was agreed with NBI some years ago continues. My understanding is that approximately 6.7 million m of fibre cable have been installed across the length and breadth of Ireland. Some 54,000 premises are currently ready for service across 22 counties. This means that homeowners, businesses and farms can now order and pre-order through a retail service provider to connect to a high-speed National Broadband Plan, NBP, network. NBI has advised that as of 11 February, over 157,000 premises have been constructed or are under construction. This demonstrates that the project is reaching scale. The budget allocated approximately €225 million to the roll-out of the NBP. That is a very significant investment in the plan. On the specifics that the Deputy has raised, I will return to her after talking to the Minister in respect of them.