The National Broadband Plan will miss its end of year target by as much as 25,000 homes Galway TD Denis Naughten has said.
In answer to a Dáil Question by the Independent TD, the government said that 35,000 properties in the NBP will be connected by the end of the year, from a target of 60,000.
Connections have been made in eleven counties total; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary.
Minister of State Ossian Smyth said to Deputy Naughten that between 50,000 and 60,000 premises will be able to order or pre-order broadband services under the NBP by the end of the year.
Commenting on the figures Denis Naughten said: “It is deeply disappointing that revised targets set just last September will not be reached by the end of December.”
“In reality this means there is a further delay in the delivery of broadband to homes, which is now running 12 months behind target – six months more than was admitted to just last September.”
Minister of State Smyth met with the Chief Executives of Eir and National Broadband Ireland this week to discuss the delays in the build of the plan.
“While this is very welcome, one has to ask the question why did we have to wait 25 months into the contract for this meeting to happen,” Denis Naughten said.
