Working from home sees need for good broadband
DIFFICULTIES faced by some workers with broadband speeds and access whilst working remotely during the COVID19 outbreak emphasises the obvious and urgent need for greater broadband connectivity in rural Ireland.
That’s according to Deputy Frank Feighan who says he believes this is proof why Fine Gael’s National Broadband Plan was so badly needed in rural Ireland.
Deputy Feighan said: “Many people are now working from home in instances where they never would have done before.
“Initially it was challenging to come to terms with new workplace surroundings and with all the technological requirements needed at home. “However, for the most part, as things have settled down during the outbreak workers have been able to work from home easily and they have largely enjoyed the experience.
“As a result, there is now a new opportunity for businesses and for families alike to experience a new and better work life balance when COVID19 subsides and when work returns to normal.
“I believe this will be one of the very few positives Irish society will gain from this challenging time and the ‘new normal’ period ahead.
“This experience has also helped people to re-consider living in rural Ireland whilst being able to work remotely in their urban based offices, from home.
“However, without high speed broadband access available to them this is just now going to be able to occur.
“This has unfortunately been the case for a small number of people who have contacted me to highlight their concerns with lack of access and very slow speeds in certain areas outside of the Commercial Areas and inside the State Intervention Area identified in the National Broadband Plan.
“We witnessed last year that the delivery of our National Broadband Plan, the overall project costs and its viability was made into a political football by those who are now calling for greater access across the country
At times, its very viability was called into question.
“Now more than ever we see that the National Broadband Plan must be delivered. Broadband access is as important today as electricity was to the home sixty years ago,” he said.