Press Release
For immediate use
1 March 2005
Connecting Donegal – Donegal County Council hosts Group Broadband Information Seminar
Last night saw almost two hundred people attend a Broadband information seminar in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey. The purpose of this information seminar was to outline to both community groups and local small businesses the opportunities available under the Governments Group Broadband Scheme to put in place broadband communications in rural areas in the County.
Those present heard that 55% grant aid is available from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources under this scheme and that in many cases the balance of the monies have been made available from broadband service providers working in partnership with local communities and businesses. In return for this and subject to sufficient numbers the broadband service provider sign a contract with each individual person to provide services on an ongoing basis for a set fee and for an agreed period of time.
Speaking at the launch Mr. Sean Bonner, Chairman of Forbairt na Rosann Teoranta, which currently has a pilot scheme in place with some 55 subscribers in west Donegal outlined the advantages offered by broadband services to businesses and referred in particular to those businesses relying on information and communication technology.
Mr. Garry Martin, Divisional Manager in Donegal County Council also stated that “ the emergence of broadband infrastructure in rural areas means that information and communications based businesses can be carried out from areas outside the main population centres, such as Dublin and Galway.” Mr. Martin added that he was delighted with the high turn out at the information seminar and said that it was a good indication of the level of interest in broadband infrastructure in rural areas in Donegal.
Anyone interested in establishing a group broadband scheme can obtain further information from Mr. Paddy Birch who is the regional coordinator for the group broadband scheme, telephone no 049 4362600 or Ms Breid Breen in Donegal County Council, telephone no. 074 9172568 email bbreen@donegalcoco.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications for the Group Broadband Scheme is 28th April, 2005.
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For further information contact
Anne Marie Conlon
Communications Officer
Donegal County Council
T: 074 91 72574
Email: amconlon@donegalcoco.ie