Broadband: Newry and Armagh

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture and Rural Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:15 pm on 26 May 2015.

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Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin 3:15, 26 May 2015

The additional funding from the tackling rural poverty and social inclusion budget will help to reduce the number of not-spots to around 20,000. The broadband funds in the new rural development programme will also target those remaining not-spots. Other government programmes are in the pipeline, and these will also impact on the remaining not-spots. Signing of contracts is to take place once the business cases and programmes have been approved. The target date is mid- to late May.

As I said earlier, I understand the frustration within rural communities. We have made progress in reducing the number of people who cannot access broadband. However, we still have a way to go. In terms of my contribution, I am committed to working with DETI and the broadband improvement projects. I have very clearly set out my intention to invest additional funding to tackle broadband and to try to plug the gaps that are there.