Some Kildare children can't do homework due to lack of broadband

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Frank O’Rourke has claimed that some people across Kildare are seriously disadvantaged because of lack of broadband.

He claimed there are homes with parents who cannot conduct basic online banking transactions, children who cannot do their homework and students who cannot file their assignments.

The TD has expressed his disappointment at the fact that further delays are likely to the long awaited and much vaunted National Broadband Plan.

Deputy O’Rourke was commenting as it emerged that the Minister for Communications is set to open dialogue with providers Eir and Imagine to discuss the implications of their recent announcements for the overall project.

Deputy O’Rourke said, “In the past two weeks, Eir and Imagine both announced plans to provide broadband services within the intervention area which will cover 400,000 premises.

“While greater broadband coverage is always welcome, especially for homes and businesses in parts of Kildare where there is virtually no connection, these announcements present yet another headache for the National Broadband Plan as the roll-out cannot take place in areas where there is already a commercial operator.

“The Minister needs to urgently clarify the impact of these announcements on the tendering process and give an indication of any further delay.

"Previous reductions to the intervention area have already led to changes in both the scale and price of the project. It’s prudent and reasonable to assume these announcements will do the same.

“Across Kildare there are homes with parents who cannot conduct basic online banking transactions; children who cannot do their homework; students who cannot file their assignments; farms and farmers who cannot access the Department of Agriculture schemes and small business that cannot trade online.

"The timely roll-out of the National Broadband Plan is not a luxury for these people. It’s a necessity,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.