National Broadband Plan
- Department / body
- Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
- Delivery
- National Broadband Ireland (contractor)
- Status
- In delivery
- Location
- Nationwide
A State-subsidised fibre network for premises not served commercially, delivered under contract by National Broadband Ireland.
The numbers
Documented factContract award cap → current cap
- Earlier figure
- €2.9bn
- Nov 2019
- Latest figure
- €2.7bn
- Aug 2022
- Documented variance
- −€200m / −7%
- Like-for-like
Calculation
Variance = €2.7bn − €2.9bn = −€200m
Percentage = −€200m ÷ €2.9bn × 100 = -7%
Earlier: Incl. contingency and VAT. Latest: Incl. contingency and VAT.
Published cost figures, in order
| Date | Figure | Amount | Scope / basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2019 | Capped State subsidy at contract award | €2.9bn | Incl. contingency and VAT | Source: The Irish Times, 23 Aug 2022 (opens in a new tab); Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (opens in a new tab) |
| Aug 2022 | Capped State subsidy after Revenue VAT ruling | €2.7bn | Incl. contingency and VAT | Source: The Irish Times, 23 Aug 2022 (opens in a new tab); Government of Ireland (opens in a new tab) |
What the sources say
Documented fact- An earlier estimate of about €500m, cited in 2019 reporting, related to a smaller intervention than the one contracted, according to the Department. It is not comparable with the contract figures and is not used in any variance here. Source: The Irish Times, May 2019 (opens in a new tab)
- Reason given by sourceThe reduction from €2.9bn to €2.7bn followed a Revenue Commissioners ruling on VAT. Source: The Irish Times, 23 Aug 2022 (opens in a new tab)
Key dates
- Contract signed
- 19 Nov 2019
Sources
Figures last checked against these sources on 1 Oct 2026. Where a news report is linked, it is reporting an official statement or document.
- Is there still a need for a €2.9bn State intervention in the National Broadband Plan?The Irish Times · 23 Aug 2022 · News report of official figures
- National Broadband PlanDepartment of Culture, Communications and Sport · ongoing · Official publication
- National Broadband Plan — State Aid ReportingGovernment of Ireland · ongoing · Official publication
- What is the national broadband plan and what will it cost?The Irish Times · May 2019 · News report of official figures
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