Government abandoning rural Ireland - Troy

The withdrawl of funding for the National Broadband Scheme is yet more proof that the government has abandoned rural Ireland, according to Deputy Robert Troy.

The Fianna Fail man was speaking following the announcement that the Government is withdrawing funding for the National Broadband Scheme, which could lead to a 75% price hike for rural broadband users.

The National Broadband Scheme was set-up under the previous government to deliver basic affordable broadband to rural areas where the service was poor. The scheme will now expire on August 25.

Deputy Troy commented: “I am shocked and angered at the announcement by the government that it will withdraw funding for the National Broadband Scheme, which provided basic broadband services to rural areas, through a subsidy for the company 3 Ireland. This move will now result in broadband customers being forced to pay an additional €176 per year to receive a basic broadband service.

“This represents another facet in the government’s policy of dismantling rural Ireland; which will be left behind in any economic recovery.  There is now a two-tier recovery and a two-tier broadband service, which the government seems happy to stand over. 

“Regional and rural Ireland has been abandoned and is losing out on investment and business because the broadband service is of poor quality. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural Ireland are now at a considerable disadvantage compared to businesses in urban areas," Deputy Troy concluded.