Dempsey Announces Latest Towns Approved Under The Group Broadband Scheme

Dublin, 8th December 2004

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D., today announced the latest towns to be approved under the Group Broadband Scheme. The approved towns are Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, Croshaven, Co. Cork, Kilfinnane, Hospital and Knocklong, Co. Limerick and Brandon, Co. Kerry

The 1^st phase of the Group Broadband Scheme is currently closed and the 2^nd phase is due to be launched in the early new year. The scheme is open to all smaller and rural communities of less then 1,500 people.  It will empower local communities to draw up and implement their own broadband plans either on their own, or in partnership with broadband service providers.  Up to 55% funding is available for the scheme under the National Development Plan which is co-funded by the Euro pean Regional Development Fund. Several smaller towns and rural communities in counties Westmeath, Donegal, Longford, Kilkenny, and Galway have already been approved for the Scheme.

Latest Group Broadband Scheme Approvals

Location:  Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

Community Group: Rathdrum Development Association
Service Provider:  Eircom
Potential Coverage:  60% of Households in the area
Technology:  DSL Solution
Grant Aid (Capital costs):  18% - €6,298.20
Broadband Availability: Within six months of signing grant agreement

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork

Community Group: Crosshaven Community Association
Service Provider:  Eircom
Potential Coverage:  76%
Technology:  DSL solution
Grant Aid (Capital costs):  20% - €7,568.20
Broadband Availability:  Six months from date of grant agreement

Location:  Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick

Community Group:  Kilfinnane Business Community Group, Ballyhoura Development Ltd.
Service Provider:  Ildana Teoranta
Potential Coverage:  80% of households in the area
Technology:  Fixed Wireless
Grant Aid (Capital costs):  30% - €8,930.10
Broadband Availability:  Within six weeks of signing grant agreement

Location:  Hospital & Knocklong, Co. Limerick

Community Group:  Hospital Community Council, Knocklong Development Association & Ballyhoura Development Ltd.
Service Provider:  Ildana Teoranta
Potential Coverage:  80% of households in area
Technology:  Fixed Wireless
Grant Aid (Capital costs):  30% - €12,517.50
Broadband Availability:  Within six weeks of signing grant agreement

Location:  Brandon, Co. Kerry

Community Group:  Udaras Na Gaeltachta & Comhar Chumann Forbartha Chorca Duibhne
Service Provider:  Ildana Teoranta
Potential Coverage, 80% of households in area
Technology, Fixed Wireless
Grant Aid (Capital costs), 30% - €8,819.10
Broadband Availability, Within six weeks of signing grant agreement

Tel: +353-1-6782443 ¨ Fax: +353-1-6782739 ¨ E-Mail:   press.office@dcmnr.gov.ie