Funding confirmed for Mayo digital mapping project

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has announced that he has allocated funding for a telecommunications survey of Mayo which could greatly assist in the roll-out of broadband in the county.

A sum of €16,244 has been allocated to Mayo County Council under the department’s Digital Innovation Programme (DIP) in order to create a digital map of the county’s underground telecommunications ducting infrastructure.

This information will be then made available to the winning bidder for the National Broadband Plan and other telecommunications providers.

Minister Ring said: “The Digital Innovation Programme is designed to support and encourage imaginative uses of technology for the common good. This particular project will enable Mayo County Council to digitally map the county’s underground telecommunications cabling.

“The aim is that this will have the effect of reducing the number of roads being unnecessarily dug up; and speeding up the laying of fibre optic cables and the rollout of broadband in our county.

“This is one of eight separate pilot digital projects being announced today under the Digital Innovation Programme, totalling almost €250,000. The successful projects can scaled up and replicated elsewhere in the country.

“Other pilot projects being supported under the Digital Innovation Programme include the provision of life-saving thermal imaging cameras in Galway City which detect people who enter the city’s waterways – often late at night.”

Minister Ring added: “The projects being announced today brings the value of funds granted under the scheme so far to more than €700,000. The potential future savings that will come from piloting these initiatives in Mayo and around the country are significant, as are the immediate benefits for many people across Ireland.

“My department hopes to announce another call for applications under the Digital Innovation Programme later this year.”