Broadband will be delivered areas in north Kildare that were previously without the service before September 2010, according to local Fianna Fail TD Áine Brady.
The service will be delivered under the National Broadband Scheme to 3 electoral divisions in north Kildare that have been without the service to date including Ballyshannon DED, Carrigeen DED and Cloncurry DED.
The Government this week awarded the contract for delivery of the Scheme to ‘3’.
Confirming the news, Deputy Brady said that broadband is a crucially important part of the infrastructure in Kildare and will open up opportunities for business development and inward investment.
“The Government has now awarded the contract for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme to ‘3’ and the company has committed to delivering the Scheme in the next 21 months.”
“Half of the area under the Scheme will be provided with broadband by the end of this year, so while the completion date for the Scheme is in 21 months, some areas may well be connected well before that.”
“An investment of €223 million from a combination of Exchequer funds, EU funding, and from the company ‘3’ will create 170 direct jobs in the provision of the scheme.”
“More importantly for Kildare however, indigenous industry will be empowered to operate on a truly global scale with the provision of broadband.”
“The broadband product provided will be affordable for most at €19.99 per month with a connection fee of €49.”
“I want to warmly welcome this commitment under the NBS. I know that people in rural parts of Kildare have been frustrated at the lack of broadband availability, and it is undeniable that the lack of broadband is an impediment to job creation.”
“The delivery of high-speed broadband around the country is vital for job creation, and for the positioning of Ireland as a location the development of digital services and telecommunications technologies. That is why I have lobbied so hard for the extension of broadband since getting elected and I am delighted that north Kildare will benefit from the National Broadband Scheme. I will be in continuing contact with the Minister for Communications to ensure that the broadband provision is put in place as quickly as possible,” concluded Deputy Brady.