84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41440/24]

Ireland'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.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is currently rolling out a high speed and future-proofed broadband network through its Contract with the Minister.

NBI are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month. NBI remain ahead of contractual targets having passed 205,638 premises by the end of 2023 and the end of 2024 target has been met with over 300,000 passed, which is over half of the premises in the intervention area.

I am advised by NBI that over 300,180 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 99,583 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan’s high-speed broadband network.

My Department has engaged with NBI at every opportunity to explore options that might increase the pace of rollout and has been working with Directors of Service and Broadband Officers from all Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Agency (CCMA), the Road Management Office (RMO) and other Government Departments, to ensure that any possible barriers that might delay the rollout are addressed as soon as possible. Engagement with other bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and ComReg has also been undertaken.

I understand that NBI are in regular discussions with eir, who are responsible for the remediation of eir poles, to increase the rate of pole replacement each month. NBI have also procured the necessary subcontractors, materials, and equipment to support the programme into the foreseeable future to ensure there are no bottlenecks in the supply chain that could interfere with the rollout.

Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.

Identified barriers are dealt with through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force, which comprises State actors and industry representatives and is tasked with identifying and overcoming barriers to improved connectivity.