STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

County Roscommon receives funding for Group Broadband Schemes

By James Donlon, August 18, 2005

Six applications under the County and Group Broadband scheme for County Roscommon have recently been approved for funding by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Last Mile Wireless, a WESTBIC client covering the midlands and western region, has been awarded the contracts for these schemes and will be responsible for getting these projects up and running in the County.

These six projects cover approximately 30 communities throughout the county. Areas covered by the projects include Athleague, Knockcroghery, Ballintober, Tulsk, Keadue, Drumboylan, Kilbride, Termonbarry, Kiltoom and Roosky. Neighboring communities have also been included in these applications and will be able to receive broadband services once these projects are up and running. This will mean that a large part of the County will have broadband available when these projects are implemented.

Mayor of County Roscommon and member of the West Regional Authority Cllr. Tom Crosby said ‘This is good news for County Roscommon and this investment is very welcome. The implementation of these projects will see broadband available throughout the County. Broadband is an infrastructure that Roscommon County urgently requires and will be a major boost in promoting the economic development of the County’.

The Regional Co-Ordinator with the West Regional Authority, Caitriona McQuillan, would like to thank the community groups involved for all their hard work and effort and is looking forward to working with the communities and the service provider on these projects.

Cllr. Tom Costello, Chairman of the West Regional Authority has said that ‘wide access to broadband services is critical if the West Region is to achieve its full potential as a regional economy in today’s fast-changing knowledge-based society’.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources launched the 2nd phase of the County and Group Broadband Scheme in January of this year. This scheme offers financial support for smaller communities and rural areas to establish broadband services locally. Under the 2nd phase of the Scheme a total of 17 projects out of 28 submitted for the West Region (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) have now been approved and work is continuing with the Department on approving the remaining 11.

Up to €4 million was available nationally to support Group Broadband Scheme projects under this phase. For further information on the scheme you can contact the Regional Co-Ordinator, Ms. Caitriona McQuillan on (091) 563842.