FORTY-TWO primary schools in Donegal will be connected to high speed broadband by the end of 2022, it has been confirmed.
In an acceleration of the National Broadband Plan, 679 rural primary schools nationwide, including 42 in Donegal, will be connected.
“It’s vital that every school, no matter how remote, has access to world-leading high-speed broadband and so I gladly welcome this investment in education, technology and in rural Ireland” said the Minister for Agriculture and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue.
“Under the originally-planned roll out, some schools would have had to wait up to seven years for connection. Now, all schools will be connected within two years.
“I appreciate the frustrations of those who are based in rural Ireland and find themselves at a disadvantage solely because of where they live and I understand that this is not sustainable in the digital era.”
Independent TD Thomas Pringle has called for a full roll-out of rural broadband.
“During Dáil debates on Budget 2021 I spoke of the missed opportunity in the Government’s budget to provide for the communications infrastructure rural communities need, especially at a time when so many people are working from home,” Deputy Pringle said.
“While I welcome this announcement, it must be accompanied by a Government commitment to ensure that all communities in Donegal and across the country have the broadband access they so vitally need.”
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