In the Dáil this week, statements were made about broadband problems in Laois and Offaly.
Laois TD Brian Stanley highlighted nine areas of Laois not receiving the required high-speed broadband.
In Laois alone, there are 12,721 houses or premises left to be serviced.
“The National Broadband Plan, (NBP), is supposed to connect the remaining 542,000 households and businesses requiring high-speed broadband.
“Taking county Laois alone, there are 12,721 houses or premises left to be serviced.
“In Laois the areas not covered include Borris-in-Ossory, Ballaghmore, Ballinakill, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Vicarstown, Ballylynan, Graigue and Crettyard.
The Sinn Féin TD also stated that due to lower broadband speeds, many Laois people are being made commute to work.
“Almost 12,000 people commute from Laois to work every day and many of them do not need to do so. Many of them have complained to me, saying that if they had services locally, they would not have to commute long distances.’”
He continued: “The procurement for the National Broadband Plan has been a series of failures, and 542,000 homes and businesses across this State are still waiting for reliable high-speed broadband. If this procurement process now fails this government have not put forward a Plan B.
“In 2012 Sinn Féin proposed the use of infrastructure already in place and in State hands for the NBP. The electricity infrastructure which is going to virtually every home in the State, is already being used to carry fibre.
“The backbone of saving and growing rural Ireland will be the future high-speed broadband network which is long promised. When this Government took power in 2016 they committed to connecting every home by 2020.
“We don’t know if it will even begin in 2020. This Government need to realise the vital need for broadband and for this to start.”
He concluded asking when the areas affected would be serviced: “When will the contract be signed? When will work begin? And how long will the contract take?”
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