Disappointment at fresh delay to rural broadband roll-out

Irish Rural Link, the national network representing the interests of rural communities, has expressed disappointed that the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan has been delayed again and won't begin until at least 2019. 

Residents and businesses in rural areas continue to battle with poor quality broadband and this will come as a further setback for people, Irish Rural Link commented.

'The setting up of a business, expansion of SME's and Micro Enterprises and, in turn, the creation of employment is highly dependent on decent high speed broadband,' it stated.

'The longer businesses have to wait for decent broadband the less confidence they will have and will look to locate to other areas where broadband is available. 

'On the one hand, Government are encouraging more people to go online to bank and pay bills, with reduced bank services and closures of banks and post offices in rural areas. 

'From beginning of 2018, all farm payments will have to be done online, and farmers are being trained to do all registration, etc, online at present but how will this be done if the rollout of high speed broadband is not delivered?

'The new National Planning Framework must ensure that there is a more balanced regional growth. However, this and the implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development will be compromised if high speed broadband is not available,' the statement concluded.