Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has welcomed progress with the National Broadband Plan in County Galway.
Minister Canney said: “The first phase of the implementation plan for the National Broadband Ireland is well under way.
“Nationally 22,000 premises have been surveyed, including several areas of County Galway. The surveys involve NBI contractors on the ground physically walking the routes and documenting existing infrastructure such as poles, cables and underground ducts that can be used to ensure the roll-out is cost-efficient.
“Surveys have been completed in townlands around Clarinbridge, Claregalway, Oranmore and Furbo, while they are under way at Lawrencetown, Kiltormer, Kilconnell, Cappataggle, Aughrim, Clontuskert, Ahascragh, Cromagh and areas around Ballinasloe.
“NBI is on track to pass 10,000 premises nationally by the end of the year with the first fibre to home connection expected by December.
” Much of the design and survey work is front-loaded so there will be a rapid increase in connections in 2021.
“Never has the need for high-speed broadband been so acutely highlighted as in the current COVID-19 crisis.
“For many, remote working has gone from being an idea to a reality. “Those without high-speed broadband are at a great disadvantage. Everyone is entitled to it and that is why I ensured that rural high-speed fibre broadband was an integral part of the last Programme for Government. My commitment to its implementation has never wavered, despite objections from some political quarters.
“The signing of the contract, for which I was present, has been fully justified.
“I am very pleased that the work being carried out has continued to progress in spite of the disruption caused by the public health emergency and that my department, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is working with NBI to speed up the roll-out.”
NBI has updated its website www.nbi.ie so that members of the public can use their Eircode or address to check whether their homes are within the roll-out area and to see if surveying is under way or pending. The website will be updated monthly as the project proceeds.
Anyone with further queries can call NBI’s contact centre at 0818-624624 or email [email protected] .
The National Broadband Plan will provide high-speed fibre to 1.1 million people and 537,000 premises, including 54,000 farms, 44,000 businesses and 695 schools.
Around €152 million will be invested in installing and maintaining a high-speed fibre network throughout Galway over the next 25 years.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
May 29 2020