Ballinasloe is one of only five areas in Ireland prioritised for the rollout of broadband by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Senator Aisling Dolan welcomed the news and confirmed that 634 schools and 16 marts across the country will be targeted by NBI for additional supports.
The Fine Gael senator raised concerns in the Seanad that people in Roscommon and Galway are finding it a challenge to work from home with poor broadband.
“There are so many blackspots in East Galway and South Roscommon; I am delighted to hear from NBI that Ballinasloe town and surrounding areas will all have access to broadband by Summer 2021,” she said.
“It is particularly welcome for schools, people working from home, businesses and farmers. This is on the scale of bringing electricity to households in the 50s.”
The broadband will cover blackspot areas in Ballinasloe and surrounding areas including Kellysgrove, Clontuskert, Lismany, Laurencetown Moore, Ballydangan, Taughmaconnell, Caltra, Ahascragh, Aughrim and Kilconnell.
“In the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications Networks, Mr Hendrick highlighted the magnitude of this national infrastructure project which will cover 96% of the country and that these lines are built for scaling up again in the future,” added Senator Dolan.
She continued; “Mr Hendrick noted over 60 live Broadband Connection Points and gave commitments to increasing the number of contractors to accelerate the survey stage.
“Under the Digital Agenda for Europe every home will have access to 100MBPS by 2025 and the aim of working towards a gigabyte future.”
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