Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
37. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans in place to tackle unemployment in rural Ireland in view of the delay in awarding contracts under the national broadband plan. [22536/16]
View answerThe Regional Action Plans for Jobs developed by my Department place a strong emphasis on the importance of access to high speed broadband. Broadband communications is an essential underpinning for entrepreneurship, for trade and for attracting investment in the digital economy.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) so that every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland has access to high speed services. The Government has moved quickly on the procurement process. The current schedule envisages contract(s) awarding in June 2017.
My Department, agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices will continue to work with other Departments and stakeholders to ensure that the full potential of high speed broadband can be realised for job creation in all parts of the country. Through the LEOs we will continue to support entrepreneurship and business growth in all areas of the country. We will also continue to promote the On-line Vouchers which are available to businesses to develop their ICT and ecommerce capabilities. My Department is also working with the Department of Education and Skills on a review of the ICT Skills Action Plan. The ICT Action Plan has placed a strong focus on providing training for the unemployed to take advantage of job openings in ICT related areas throughout the country.
