Clare to receive €89m investment in National Broadband Plan

*Surveys are continuing in parts of East Clare for the National Broadband Plan roll-out. 

A THIRD of premises’ in Clare do not have access to high-speed broadband.

An investment of €89m is to be made in Co Clare as part of the National Broadband Plan. 22,789 premises in the county do not have access to high-speed broadband equating at 32 percent.

Chief Commercial Officer with National Broadband Ireland (NBI), Joe Lavin outlined that by the end of this year, 55 percent of premises are to be surveyed in Clare, 66 percent will have a build commenced by the end of 2023 with 100 percent to be completed by the end of 2026. He described the investment in Clare as “significant”.

NBI is currently on year three of a seven year build programme. In terms of surveys completed, 24 percent in Clare were done in 2020, rising to 42 percent in 2021 with the target of 55 percent for this year and 100 percent for 2023.

2020 saw just 7 percent of builds commencing in Clare, the figure more than trebled to 24 percent last year, 42 percent is the goal for 2023, 66 percent for 2024 and 100 percent for 2025.

Last year, 7 percent of builds were completed in the county. This year’s aspiration is 24 percent and it will almost double to 42 percent in 2024. It is aimed to have 64 percent of builds concluded by 2025 and 100 percent by 2026.

1,639 premises in Clare bordering Limerick City are ready for service and are anticipated to be connected by December. Similarly in Gort, 156 premises are ready for service and are available for orders with retail service providers.

In Kilkishen, 3,402 premises are set to be connected between January and March 2023, the build is currently ongoing.

Surveys have been completed in Corofin with 2,762 premises set for connection between September and November next year. Likewise in Feakle, the surveys are done but the wait for connection is longer with the timeframe between January and June 2024.

Up to 28 primary schools in Co Clare are in scope to connect to high-speed broadband. At present, five of these have live connections – Kilmurry McMahon NS, Shragh NS in Doonbeg, Ennistymon NS, Stonehall NS in Newmarket-on-Fergus at St John’s NS in Cratloe. NBI are “committed” to having all national schools connected by the first quarter of next year.

Schools that are planned to be connected include, St John The Baptist NS in Ballyvaughan, Boston NS in Tubber, Moneen NS in Kilbaha, Cranny NS, Bansha NS in Kilkee, Coolmeen NS, Furragiaun NS in Lahinch, Cloonaha NS in Inagh, Rineen NS, Rockmount NS, Cree NS, Coore NS, Scoil Mhuire Náisiúnta in Corofin, St Joseph’s NS in Miltown Malbay, Kilshanny NS, St Senan’s NS in Cooraclare, Clooney NS, Clouna NS in Ennistymon, Doora NS, Clondrinagh NS in Lissycasey, Knockanean NS, Barefield NS and Clohanes NS in Mullagh.

Lavin described the National Broadband Plan as “the largest ever telecommunications project undertaken by the Irish State” with the aim “to radically transform the country’s broadband landscape through the delivery of quality, affordable high-speed broadband to all parts of Ireland where such services are not available.