Parts of Donegal may be waiting up to four years for access to high speed broadband under the national plan.
Donegal Sinn Féin T.D., Pearse Doherty, said there is a “slow and disappointing” timeline for the National Broadband Plan to be fully rolled out and available in Donegal.
There 102,564 premises in County Donegal, of which 32,373 are within the intervention area for the National Broadband Plan. It is planned that over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
The information was shared with Deputy Doherty by the Department Environment, Climate and Communications.
“Despite asking for a breakdown for each area in Donegal, I haven’t received this level of detail,” he said.
“What I did receive was news that surveys have been completed in County Donegal in the areas of Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin, and Tommyscroft. There are further survey works planned for Creeslough, Tamney, Rutland Island, Inishfree Island, Arranmore, Bunbeg, Tory Island between now and the middle of 2022.”
“I was informed that “surveying” is the first step towards delivering the new fibre network and involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. While I understand that this is time consuming, it is disappointing that it won’t be completed quicker.”
“The Minister has said that further details are available on specific areas within Donegal through the NBI website at www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. I would urge homeowners in Donegal to register for these updates.”
“I am hearing the hardships faced by schools, businesses, students and those trying to work from home during the pandemic who are at their wits end with their broadband connections. I will keep raising the need for a speedy rollout of the Plan for rural Ireland, including Donegal.”
