The Communications Minister says more than half the cost of the National Broadband Plan will be borne by the investor and customers.
There are calls for the figure being invested by Granahan McCourt to be revealed.
But the final cost appears to be skyrocketing with fears it’s now going from €3 to 5 billion.
The fallout from the approval of the National Broadband Plan is continuing cause concern in the opposition benches in Leinster House.
The Irish Times reports today that the final cost, including private investment, is expected to exceed €5 billion with the majority of that – €3 billion – coming from government funds.
That hasn’t been disputed in the Dáil today by Minister Richard Bruton.
There’s still no contract, despite this week’s announcement on the Rural Broadband Plan.
That’s expectd in the coming months, after Granahan McCourt were identified as the lead bidder.
Former Communications Minister Denis Naughten says it has to go ahead.
Meanwhile, though concern has emerged from across the board that other large capital projects will be impacted by the cost of the National Broadband Plan, it’s been confirmed that the Killaloe Bypass will proceed as planned.
Speaking on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, Labour’s Alan Kelly said he has received assurances that work will commence as planned next year.
But he fears many more projects will be affected.
