26 February 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Dara Murphy TD, Minister for European Affairs, has welcomed the announcement of €800 million in funding EU Structural Funds for Ireland, following the formal signing in Brussels of Ireland’s operational programmes under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The funding will support the rollout of high-speed broadband in rural areas, including north Cork.
In total, the Government has secured more than €1 billion of EU Structural Funds over the period 2014-2020. When matching funding is included, total programme expenditure will amount to almost €2 billion.
“This EU funding is particularly good news for residents and small businesses in rural areas of north Cork, in particular in Whitechurch, Cloghroe, Kerrypike, Blarney and Glanmire, where there has been poor broadband connectivity and an unreliable service for too long.
“The recently-announced National Broadband Plan and this EU funding will see the delivery of reliable high speed broadband throughout County Cork and across Ireland, through a combination of State and commercial investment. The procurement and tendering process can now progress and once completed the building of high speed broadband for rural areas can finally begin.
“The swift rollout of the National Broadband Plan in rural Cork will support families, rural communities and small businesses and is vital for economic development and job creation in the area.
