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. Up to €4 million is available nationally to support Group Broadband Scheme projects under this phase. Eligible communities with populations up to 1,500 (based on CSO 2002 census data) may apply.
The Community & Enterprise Directorate of Clare County Council organised a number of information seminars throughout the County in order to promote the Scheme to as wide an audience as possible. These were held in: Scarriff, Kilrush, Bunratty, Ennistymon, Feakle, Kilkee, Killaloe and Ennis. Over 300 people attended these information evenings during February, March and April, where presentations on the Group Broadband Scheme were delivered by officials from the Department, the County Council and the Mid West Regional Authority. The Minister appointed Directors of Regional Authorities around the country to assist with the co-ordination of applications. In turn, County Co-ordinators within Local Authorities were also appointed to promote the scheme so as to ensure a high response rate in terms of applications to the Department.
Following these workshops a total of 11 applications from various communities throughout the County have now been submitted for funding to the Department. These include the following areas:
The County Co-Ordinator in Clare, Martin O'Loghlen welcomed the high level of interest and the large number of applications from groups around the County. He commented that the Group Broadband Scheme offers even the most remote communities the chance of competing on level terms with the major cities. Martin O'Loghlen added that Broadband is the future of communications, and anyone who wants to be part of that future will need Broadband. He wished success to all those who have applied to the Department and look forward to a number of communities in Clare having access to Broadband within the next few months.
For further details, please contact Martin O'Loghlen, Community and Enterprise Department, Clare County Council, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co Clare. Tel: 065 6846222 Fax: 065 6829558 email: dceoff@clarecoco.ie