Dáil debates

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Covid-19 (Rural and Community Development): Statements

 

2:45 pm

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to focus on three areas, namely, the community and voluntary sector, transport and mobility and broadband. Broadband is a major issue for so many rural communities and has been thus for many years. The recent increase in working and studying from home has further intensified the problems and has highlighted the broadband black spots. While additional bandwidth has been made available and wireless connections have improved, the black spots remain where wireless coverage is not available. Is there any way that the Minister can highlight this with the national broadband plan? There must be a focus on the already-identified black spots so that they can be prioritised in the roll out of rural broadband. This is a hugely significant issue.

On transport and mobility, the point has been well made already with regard to the 5 km and 20 km limits which are very restrictive in rural communities. To put it into perspective, one can travel for up to 20 km in Dublin and engage with anything up to 1 million people, thus potentially driving on Covid-19 at a super-spreader rate whereas in a rural community if one travels 20 km, one may not meet anything more than a handful of people. In terms of people being able to drive around and do their business in rural communities, the limits are very restrictive. Has the Minister raised this matter with the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach? Is there some way of doing away with that limit or having flexibility within it to make it more realistic for rural communities? If we attempt to enforce an unrealistic limit on people, it will bring the whole thing into disrepute and will not be practical.

According to CSO figures from 2016, 25% of people in my own area covering north and west Cork commute for well over 45 minutes every day. This includes people travelling to Cork and Limerick for college or for work. Travelling is a big issue for people and in the absence of public transport, the car is essential. In that context, having a driver's licence is a big issue for a great many people.

Is there some way whereby newer drivers who are ready to take the test can do so? The issue has been resolved or contained for those who are seeking renewals but is there some way for newer drivers who have taken driving lessons to get tests as this would thereby give them the opportunity to obtain driving licences, reduce their insurance costs and have the mobility they need in rural communities?

Regarding community and voluntary groups, while the stability fund initially focused on Covid-related activities, there needs to be some way that the wider community groups, whether they are involved in Ionad Cultúrtha in Ballyvourney or Independence Museum Kilmurry, are able to avail of that funding to support their local communities.

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