The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, T.D., today approved outline broadband infrastructure investment plans for 35 regional towns and a North West Digital Corridor link between Letterkenny and Derry as part of the next phase of the Regional Broadband Programme.
From Athenry to Youghal, these towns have been selected in a competitive process and will benefit from next generation broadband infrastructure. Once the rollout is completed next year it will provide cheap ‘always-on’ access to the Internet, a vital tool for industry and business and invaluable for educational institutes, health and research bodies and private consumers.
The projects, grant aided by the Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, are co-funded by the EU under the European Regional Development Fund. “They will bring ultra high speed communications links to towns with an aggregate population of over 160,000,” said Minister Dempsey.
“With this substantial investment in telecoms infrastructure, coupled with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources other schemes, I expect to see a significant improvement in the level of services offered throughout the country,” said Minister Dempsey.
“On top of my recent announcements launching the Sligo network, the six North East networks and further Group Broadband Schemes, this is another example of this Government’s commitment to establishing quality broadband infrastructure in every corner of the country, in partnership with the Local and Regional Authorities and industry,” said the Minister.
“The Department is currently examining a further 10 project proposals received in Phase II and an announcement will be made on these in the New Year. The projects in the towns announced today will entail the construction of about 3,200Km of duct infrastructure, 200,000 fibre kilometres and an aggregate of €50M investment,” he added.
Project construction, in partnership with the Local Authorities will begin in the Spring and most projects should be completed in 12 months.
Broadband proposals in respect of more than 50 other towns will be invited early in the New Year.
The 35 approved towns are:
Athenry, Ballinasloe, Ballybofey/Stranolar, Bantry, Blarney, Carrigaline, Castleisland, Castlerea, Claremorris, Clifden, Clones, Cobh, Dingle, Furbo, Kenmare, Kildare, Killarney, Kinsale, Listowel, Longford, Maynooth, Midleton. Mitchelstown, Navan, Nenagh, Newbridge, Passage West, Rathangan, Ringaskiddy, Sallins, Skibereen, Tralee, Tramore, Trim, Youghal.
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