Deputy Charlie McConalogue has said that 34,107 homes and businesses await the green light for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) in County Donegal.
The NBP aimed to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland had access to high-speed broadband. Despite this 36% of homes and businesses are still awaiting the provision of high-speed broadband services.
Deputy McConalogue commented, “Despite ongoing assurances from this Government over the last number of years, the National Broadband Plan has still not been given the go ahead and it is rural Ireland and Donegal in particular who are suffering.
“Recent census figures have put Donegal as the poorest county in Ireland, high unemployment has contributed to youth emigration and the IDA hasn’t secured the set-up of any new companies in the region over the last number of years. I believe lack of high-speed broadband is a contributory factor and this needs to be addressed urgently.”
He added it is evident that over the last number of years there is a growing appetite for remote working for career, health and lifestyle reasons and companies are more open to supporting remote workers in order to retain talent.
“Donegal has everything to offer in terms of finding a healthy work-life balance and we need to be able to capitalise on this working trend however we need the IT infrastructure and broadband services to support our families who want to live and work here.
“This Government must stop the delays and ensure that the National Broadband Plan is rolled out as soon as possible” concluded McConalogue.
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