‘Local area must be included in broadband scheme’ – McNulty
SDLP Westminster Representative Justin McNulty has called on the Stormont Executive to ensure businesses in Newry and South Armagh can avail of a vital Broadband Voucher Scheme which is worth up to £3000 to each business.
McNulty was speaking after meeting with broadband providers this week.
He explained, “Businesses in Newry and South Armagh are continuously being failed by the lack of broadband services and the Stormont Executive is sitting ignoring this area time and time again by not including Newry and South Armagh in a vital UK government backed Voucher Scheme.
“The scheme would allow small and medium sized businesses to avail of £3000 towards the cost of upgrading their broadband connection and yet only two council areas in Northern Ireland can avail of the scheme, those being Belfast and Derry.
“This is nonsense; the grant is available to businesses that operate in areas where the infrastructure already exists. This should be made available to all council areas and in-particular those who cover border regions where the broadband connectivity is a nightmare.”
“I firmly believe the continued lack of real action, rather than one off gimmicks, is costing vital jobs in rural South Armagh. We could see small businesses popping up all over the area if the broadband problems were resolved.
He added, “I am very publicly calling on the Department of Enterprise to urgently review this voucher scheme. It can and must be widened up to all council areas to avail of the scheme. The businesses of Newry and South Armagh are crying out for decent, reliable and fast broadband.
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