AFTER being stuck in the internet dark ages for more than a decade, rural parts of Donegal are set to benefit from a Rural Broadband Scheme.
Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte will formally launch the scheme in the next few weeks, a move welcomed by Labour colleague Jimmy Harte – and opposition politicians.
County councillor Harte, a candidate in the forthcomning Seanad elections, said Donegal communities would benefit.
“It is outrageous that so many rural communities still have to use dial-up services to get onto the internet,” said Cllr Harte.
“The last government scheme failed to deal with that and I’m delighted that this will now be addressed.”
Companies like 3 have revolutionised areas like Gaoth Dobhair by providing fast broadband access to the internet.
But other communities like those in Culdaff on the Inishowen peninsula have been shafted by government policy.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said the announcment will be welcomed by many communities across Donegal who were not included in the previous National Broadband Scheme and are without a basic broadband service.
He told donegaldaily: “I welcome the response by the Minister that he is to formally launch a new rural broadband scheme in the next couple of weeks.
“This will be welcomed by many communities across Donegal who were not included in the previous National Broadband Scheme and are without a basic broadband service.
“Many areas in the state, particularly in Donegal are still to this day without any broadband connectivity. Such facilities are vital to the creation and retention of jobs and to enhancing the quality of life in rural areas.
“The previous National Broadband Scheme was flawed in that it didn’t include large areas due to the terms of reference of that scheme.
“This new rural broadband scheme will complete the job of providing a basic broadband service to all houses in the state.
“The roll out of the scheme is to be completed by the end of 2012 and while this is to be welcomed it is unacceptable in the 21st Century that communities have had to wait for so long for such a basic service. I would urge the Government to fast-track this scheme as much as possible.”
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