Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending to discuss this all-important issue. Covid taught us the importance of working from home and how important broadband is in that regard. Many of us have discussed the lack of availability in rural Ireland but it also affects parts of urban Ireland where the connectivity is very poor. There are streets where there is a very strong connection but there are houses in between where there is a lack of connection. I know of two areas of Limerick like this, and I was recently talking to somebody in Cork who has had 64 different communications with their broadband provider. They are living right in the heart of the city and it is still not sorted. At one stage, there were five people working from the one house off the one connection, so it was pretty poor.

The Government made the right decision on the roll-out, which is progressing. As Senator Dooley noted, sometimes one size does not fit all Perhaps there needs to be a bit more engagement in certain areas. Overall, however, the experience has been positive.

I am delighted to see the schools being included because so many schools had a poor connection. As we know, connectivity and technology is used so much in education but, for a long time, despite so many iPads and different machines being operated in schools, the connectivity was very poor.

The delay is a concern, particularly in light of working from home. On the legislation that is coming out with regard to working from home, it is very important that we get it right. I ask that special attention be paid to areas where there are many complaints or inquiries.