The National Broadband Plan (NBP) has missed another target, with just 41,000 premises available for immediate connection so far - despite promises from officials that the figure would be 60,000 by the end of March.

It's the latest setback in the €2.7billion project, for which National Broadband Ireland (NBI) holds the contract.

The 60,000 target was originally set for the end of January after NBI slashed its 115,000 target for 2021 in half due to delays relating to the pandemic and planning.

NBI officials then told members of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee in January that the target wouldn't be met until the end of March.

A property can only be connected to high-speed broadband under the plan when it has been passed by fibre.

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Figures provided by junior minister Ossian Smyth revealed the figure for premises that had been passed by fibre by the end of March was around 19,000 short of the target.

"Almost 60,000 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 22 counties, with over 41,000 premises passed across 19 counties and available for immediate connection," Mr Smyth told TDs. He also said NBI had faced numerous challenges in the rollout aside from the pandemic, including "significant tree trimming" so that cable can be placed on overhead poles.

Mr Smyth said a revised target has been set for the NBP, with 102,000 premises to be passed by the end of January 2023.

Sinn Féin communications spokesman Ruairí Ó Murchú criticised the latest delay while urging the Government to ensure there are other broadband options available for those who look set to be waiting for years to be connected under the NBI.

"We can't keep missing targets while also talking about acceleration - it's ridiculous," Deputy Ó Murchú said.