A Donegal mobile coverage blackspot is to get a Government grant of €35,000 to help improve its local network coverage.
Malin Beg in Glencolmcille is to get the funding as part of a grant of €450,000 for 13 pilot initiatives to benefit communities through digital technology across Ireland.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, today announced funding of €453,800, under the Department’s Digital Innovation Programme, for thirteen digital initiatives that will support rural and urban communities.
The Digital Innovation Programme, introduced this year by the Department of Rural and Community Development, provides funding for original and innovative local authority led digital projects, allowing them to be piloted before they are scaled up or replicated elsewhere in the country.
Speaking today, Minister Ring said: “These projects will be undertaken in rural and urban settings and will place the needs of the citizen at the heart of digital innovation. For example, the Programme will support a pilot project in Galway City which uses thermal imaging technology to detect persons entering the River Corrib at known blackspots.
An automated early warning system will alert local services so that assistance can be provided if required. The project has the potential to save lives in and around the River Corrib and, if successfully replicated elsewhere, could further advance water safety in Ireland.
“Another project will provide mobile phone coverage for the first time for the town of Malin Beg in Co. Donegal, through collaboration between the local community, county council and industry.
“These initiatives address a diverse range of issues, but are all linked by the innovative use of digital technology and infrastructure to bring real, tangible benefits to local communities. The creativity and collaboration that has gone into their design is highly impressive.”