Households in Offaly may have to wait until December 2026 for Fibre Broadband
Timeframe for the rollout of high-speed fibre broadband in Birr described as "acutely embarrassing"
INDEPENDENT TD Carol Nolan has described the projected timeframe for the rollout of high-speed fibre broadband for households and premises in Birr as “deeply frustrating and hugely embarrassing for Government”.
Deputy Nolan was speaking after Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Ossian Smyth, confirmed to her in parliamentary reply that while there is progress within the network for the Birr Deployment Area covering 1,853 premises, it is anticipated that high speed Fibre Broadband will only be available for this area within the date range January 2026-December 2026:
“If the Minister is telling me December 2026 then I am taking that, from long experience with Government speak, to mean mid to late 2027 before high speed fibre reaches some of these premises in Birr,” said Deputy Nolan.
“These kinds of delays, years after the rollout of the national broadband plan is totally unacceptable.
“I have households, businesses, and students on to my offices all seeking clarity on this issue. They fully deserve to have a more efficient rollout timeframe and not to have to wait another year or three before they see the kind of connection speed they need.
“For a Government that prides itself on its reputation and ability to draw big tech firms here, this is acutely embarrassing,” concluded Deputy Nolan.