Deputy picking up broadband problem

Any individual or company in Kildare South who doesn't have access to high-speed broadband is asked to contact local FG TD Martin Heydon, who is collecting data on the problem for presentation to the Minister for Communications.

The deputy was prompted to make the call with this week's commitment that 216 schools in Kildare, Dublin and Meath will have full broadband by September of this year.

Deputy Heydon wants Minister Pat Rabbitte to review the provision and quality of broadband in many rural parts of Kildare.

“I welcome the proposed roll out of high speed broadband (100mps) to all secondary schools in Kildare by September 2013," he says, "but unless something is done to address the serious lack of broadband services in many rural areas of Kildare, these pupils will have no access to broadband when they go home in the evenings.”

Many rural areas in South Kildare lack broadband services sufficient for basic internet access. Calverstown, Narraghmore, Suncroft and Castledermot are examples. Many living in these areas are trying to run small businesses or work from home without broadband it is just not possible.

Those who currently can't get broadband are asked to contact Deputy Heydon's office on 045-487624.

(See the Diary's earlier stories on the broadband issue.)