“It is not about reopening old garda stations. It’s about working from home . . smart farming. . . doing business online . . . . digital education . . and fewer car journeys,” he said.The plan, which could cost the taxpayer as much as €3 billion in the coming years, has been subject to widespread criticism, both from outside and inside Government.
The majority of premises will get fibre broadband, but up to 5 per cent located in the most remote areas will have wireless connection. Of these, 130,000 connections will be made in the first two years with between 70,000 and 100,000 properties getting access per year thereafter.Minister for Communications Richard Bruton has said it was a “historic day” for rural Irelamd. He said would guarantee rural communities would not be left behind.
Senior civil servants in the Department of Public Expenditure strongly opposed the plan on a value-for-money basis, but Ministers and officials in the Department of Communications took a different view and the Cabinet approved the plan in principle earlier this year.