Budget row looming over rural broadband

A RENEWED call has been made on the government to ensure that the National Broadband Plan is made a priority in the upcoming budget.

Mayo TD Lisa Chambers said: “In their last two general election manifestos,the goverment has made promises to hundreds of thousands of citizens living in rural Ireland that it would roll out a National Broadband Plan.

“Despite these promises there are still thousands of homes and businesses across the country that are still waiting to be connected to the network, and with every week that passes, the prospect of high speed broadband seems further away.

“Rural areas are worst affected, as they are solely dependent on the National Broadband Plan to deliver this essential service. 

“While urban dwellers have access to a quality service, people living in the country are being penalised. 

“Farmers cannot complete online applications for payments, schools are unable to access educational aids and businesses are unable to operate fully functional online services,” she stated

“People in rural Ireland have been waiting for broadband for over a decade now, while those living in larger towns and cities have access to commercial services. 

"The government needs to commit to rural dwellers and ensure that they are offered a high speed network.  It is vital to the future of towns, villages and rural parts of this country.

“Broadband services are vital for job creation and balanced regional development. We have to rebalance what’s happening in the East in terms of migration and ensure young people can stay and live and work in the west and broadband is an absolute necessity for this.”