Zero Mayo homes connected under National Broadband plan - TD
A Mayo TD has expressed deep frustration that Mayo is still waiting for the first premises to be connected under the National Broadband Plan.
Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh explained: “I have now received confirmation from both the minister and National Broadband Ireland, the company set up to deliver the roll-out of broadband, that no home or business has been connected in Mayo.
“It is truly alarming that after 18 months not a single premises has been connected.
"While Covid was a substantial disruption for many sectors, broadband contractors were classified as essential and allowed to work throughout most of the pandemic.
“Last month, my party Sinn Féin uncovered that only 4,000 homes are ready for connection in 2021, despite a target of 115,000. This only accounts for 3.4% of the annual target for 2021.
“Economic recovery in Mayo, the west and many other parts of the country is reliant on the roll-out of broadband.
“There is a disconnect between the talk from government on the future of work and the potential of more remote working, and the reality on the ground in Mayo.
“There are 36,615 premises in Mayo waiting to be connected under the National Broadband Plan.
"This includes homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools. This equates to 43% of all premises in the county.
“To date, only 8,281 homes and businesses have even been surveyed. That is less than a quarter of all premises waiting.
"These include Castlebar (2,139), Ballina (2,678) Newport (1,826) and Carrowmorelacken (1,638).
"There are 1,008 premises in areas around Killadoon with surveys ongoing.
“For the many people in Mayo without broadband, it is completely disheartening to see so little progress.
“I was informed three months ago that 2,100 homes to be connected early in 2022. It is alarming that so little progress seems to have been made since then.
"And Mayo continues to go without a single broadband connection under the national broadband plan.
“The government need to clarify what caused such huge delays and if there are any penalties for a failure to deliver on targets."