Electric.ie July/August 2021

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 31 Our Rural Future - 200th Broadband Connection Point T he roll-out of BCPs to rural towns and villages is a key commitment under Our Rural Future, the Government’s five year strategy for Rural Ireland. BCPs are publicly accessible sites in areas that do not have adequate broadband services. They are located in the likes of community centres, schools, libraries, parish halls, and sports clubs. BCPs provide onsite use of high- speed broadband by the public and support a range of digitally enabled services, such as remote work and study. Their roll-out is part of the Connected Communities ‒ Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, recently (June 25, 2021) launched Ireland’s 200th Broadband Connection Point (BCP). Industry News initiative – a collaboration between the between the Government, National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Vodafone Ireland. Minister Humphreys marked the launch of the 200th BCP at Drumhowan Community Centre in Monaghan. “I’m delighted to mark this important milestone as we continue the rollout of high speed, good quality broadband across the country. We have now installed Broadband Connection Points in every single county, including some of our most remote locations such as our offshore islands. Drumhowan in Monaghan is of cially number 200 in our BCP network with plans progressing to install a further 100 this year." Among the BCPs that are being launched are community centres, sports clubs, libraries and tourist locations. These BCPs will help facilitate people in terms of remote working which has become a reality for thousands as a result of COVID-19. BCPs are among the rst deliverables for NBI under the National Broadband Plan contract. €5m to DCC for the refurbishment of 100 homes D ublin City Council is set to get an allocation of €5m for the refurbishment and re-letting of 100 vacant or soon to be vacant homes this year in 2021. This is in addition to the 370 vacant units planned for restoration in Dublin City this year under the Department’s void programme which was announced in May. Minister O’Brien commended Dublin City Council for their strong engagement with the voids programme and their support in tackling vacancy. Commenting he said, “There are approximately 100 homes vacant or soon to be vacant in flat complexes that are at an advanced stage in the Flat Complex Rebuild or Refurbishment programme. My Department and I have worked with Dublin City Council on a proposal to open up and refurbish these units to address the acute housing need in the City, while at the same time continuing as quickly as possible with overall regeneration plans." “The reality is, we do not want to see any vacant homes when we are in the middle of a housing crisis. The homes which have been earmarked for ‒ The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has confirmed an allocation of €5m to Dublin City Council for the refurbishment and re-letting of 100 vacant or soon to be vacant homes this year in 2021. refurbishment are not part of any proposal already submitted or scheduled to be submitted to the Department and will not require de-tenanting within the next five years,” concluded Minister O’Brien.