Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the trading online voucher scheme can be used to help businesses migrate from a copper broadband connection to a fibre broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlacing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy is a priority of the White Paper on Enterprise and Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are actively engaged in supporting businesses in their twin transitions of digitalisation and decarbonisation. National campaigns, such as the ‘All in a Day’s Work’ campaign by LEOs draws attention to the benefits of making a business more efficient, productive, and sustainable. It focuses on how the Lean, Green and Digital products offered by LEOs can help businesses to save time, money, and energy.
The Trading Online Voucher scheme helps businesses to develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. It is open to a broad range of microenterprises. LEOs also offer the Digital Start Programme which is a consultancy assignment designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business.
In that regard, LEOs do not provide grants or programmes specifically for the purpose of migrating from copper to fibre broadband. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for the Digital Connectivity Strategy, including the National Broadband Plan, which oversees the rollout of fibre broadband across the country.
Further queries regarding the provision of fibre broadband can be made directly to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications using the designated webform available at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx.
