Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has said that assurances from the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD, on the roll out of rural broadband are very welcome. Patrick O’Donovan was speaking yesterday during a meeting of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, where the Government’s plan for broadband was discussed.
“Rural areas are at a major disadvantage in comparison to urban areas when it comes to accessing high speed broadband. As a result job opportunities are being missed. Many of my constituents have encountered numerous difficulties accessing quality broadband, and I hope that this initiative will put an end to the bad service which rural dwellers and business people have had to put up with for far too long.
“I asked the Minister if the list of locations for broadband access could be extended if other black spots are identified. The Minister said the existing list was not exhaustive and that other communities could be considered.
“The Minister said that the total investment being committed to is in the region of €520 million. He said that the roll out of high speed broadband to all second level schools would be completed, as planned, by the start of the new school year in September and added that this was something that the Government had committed to as part of improvements to schools across the State.
“It is vital that the broadband roll out is done as quickly as possible. The delivery of broadband for isolated areas was neglected by the previous Fianna Fáil Government and as a result rural communities and businesses are suffering. The Government’s commitment to invest in this area is an important step to increase the competitiveness of rural areas as places in which to live and do business.”