In Pictures - Minister Heather Humphreys in Malinbeg to launch broadband hub

“I want to be able to do in Malinbeg what I can do in Manhattan,” Minister Heather Humphreys told those gathered for the launch of Donegal's Broadband Connection Point Network.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development was in the Seán Scoil in Malinbeg which is home of one of the broadband connection points. The network was formally launched on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit by the minister to visit a number of projects funded by her department.

“This has been a game changer for rural Ireland,” she said.

“Like water and electricity, broadband is an important part of life and we want to make sure that every community has access to it.

“In rural Ireland we used to educate our young people and they would go to the city and get jobs and stay there. This allows them to come home.”

Minister Humphreys also gave the example of a man she had met on a recent visit to Donegal.
“He was working in London but his mother was ill. Being able to work in a broadband hub allowed him to come home for two or three months to look after her.”

The minister said that she had found while visiting hubs around the country that there were becoming not only places to work and train, but social hubs too.

She said her department was keen to build on this, and to develop a future strategy.

She told those gathered: “I would be happy to hear your feedback on how the broadband connection points can be maximised to their absolute potential.”

Director of Services with Donegal County Council Garry Martin said that the council had already prepared papers on this subject which they would be delighted to share.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind) is one of those who has been instrumental in addressing the mobile phone and broadband black spot in the wider Glencolmcille area.

She could not be present for the launch due to a previous engagement.

In a video created for the occasion, Cllr Kennedy outlined how when she first visited the community on this issue in 2015, there was no phone or broadband coverage. People could not contact loved ones abroad, students were disadvantaged and businesses were affected. Medical care had also been a big concern, with a situation where people who were ill had to be brought to stay in another town.

“I am delighted to see the progress here now,” she said.

Udaras na Gaeltachta's Micheál Mac Giolla Easbuic praised the local community for their proactive work on this issue.

He thanked the minister for her support for Glencolmcille and for the Donegal Gaeltacht.

Leas Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Micheál Naughton praised everyone involved in the project, including Donegal County Council's broadband officer Daragh McDonagh as well as the recently retired Brian Boyle, and Briain O Beirne from Coiste Forbortha Mailean Beaga.

Minister Humphreys also visited Bruckless to open a community park and Ardara for the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme public spaces project.

In Pictures: Bruckless park a wonderful place for people of all ages to gather - Minister

Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened Bruckless Community Park as part of a two-day visit to Donegal

She then went on to Letterkenny on Tuesday afternoon. Her visit continues on Arranmore on Wednesday.