Written answer
National Broadband Plan
The Government expects National Broadband Ireland to complete the National Broadband Plan rollout by the end of 2026, with 28,000 Kerry premises targeted; 26,463 are already passed and 7,763 connected. Ballingeary is due for connection between November and December 2026, while work continues toward nationwide gigabit coverage by 2028.
349. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when all broadband black spots in County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67869/26]
Comment on this
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government initiative to deliver high?speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. In addition, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy published in December 2022, sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
In the Deputy’s own county of Kerry, a significant investment of €107 million is being made under the NBP. A total of 28,000 premises in County Kerry will be passed by National Broadband Ireland's (NBI’s) high-speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. I have been advised by NBI that 26,463 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 27,509 premises are available to order/pre-order in County Kerry, with 7,763 premises now connected.
The Ballingeary DA is in the network build phase and has an anticipated date for connection between November 2026 and December 2026.
Further details available on specific areas within County Kerry can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provides this information for County Kerry based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
Based on current plans and achievements, my Department expects NBI to deliver the network deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment. This will ensure that premises in the State Intervention Area, including those in County Kerry that currently lack access to high-speed broadband services, have access to a fibre broadband network.
Along with the NBP intervention plan, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the country including the deputy’s own county of Kerry ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity Strategy are achieved. These plans will see improved high speed broadband access across County Kerry.
It is important to note that all premises in the State can avail of at least a basic broadband service via wired, wireless or satellite operators and there are no Broadband Blackspots anywhere in the State.
The remaining challenge relates to ensuring the availability of Gigabit-capable connectivity for all premises. In this regard, my Department is examining potential gaps in planned Gigabit-capable network coverage and engaging extensively with commercial wholesale operators to assess the scale and nature of any such premises. This work will inform the most appropriate policy response to support the achievement of the Digital Connectivity Strategy target of nationwide Gigabit connectivity by 2028.