Offaly TD says minister must take high-speed action on rural broadband

Offaly TD Carol Nolan has called on Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, to take "high-speed" action to ensure broadband is rolled out in rural areas.

She made the call on Tuesday evening during a Dáil debate on the National Broadband Plan.

Deputy Nolan stated that the delays to the rollout of broadband have had an impact on rural regions like the Midlands where the potential for job creation has been hampered as a result of "the unacceptable delays to provide basic but vital infrastructure."

"This is particularly concerning given that a few short months ago, the unemployment rate in the Midlands region, at 8%, was higher than the national average of 5%. The absence of high-speed broadband or even basic broadband in many towns and villages of rural counties like Laois and Offaly is putting both counties at a significant disadvantage which is directly affecting businesses, farming families and schools," she said.

"In relation to the serious impact on businesses, a recent survey carried out by an online accounting firm showed that an overwhelming 96% of SMEs feel that rural businesses are at a competitive disadvantage due to inadequate, poor quality broadband."

"The survey of more than 250 SME business owner/managers found that 56% believe that when it comes to IT, broadband is the single biggest challenge they face. The ongoing absence of basic infrastructure such as high-speed broadband is a source of great frustration to farming families who are unable to access information and schemes from the Department of Agriculture online."

"In many rural schools without adequate broadband, children are not able to avail of the same opportunities as their peers in rural settings and are therefore disadvantaged," Deputy Nolan said.

"The ongoing issue, which requires an urgent resolution, is another example of the neglect by this Government of rural Ireland, and how the people of rural Ireland have once again been let down by a disconnected Government that does not represent them or rural communities."