Category Archives: Broadband

Information Society Statistics – The Regional Picture

Posted on October 31, 2019 by WDC Insights

The CSO has recently published statistics on household use of the internet, measuring various aspects of the information society. Given the significant importance of the National Broadband Plan, aimed at delivering better internet access for all, especially those in rural … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Census, Economic Sectors, Economy, Financial & ICT Services, Local Government, Population, Regional Development, Rural Development | Leave a comment

The Benefits as well as the Costs of the National Broadband Plan

Posted on June 17, 2019 by WDC Insights

There are significant benefits associated with the planned rollout of the National Broadband Plan (NBP), though the recent media coverage seemed to focus largely on the costs. A review of newspaper headlines over the period following the announcement of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Economic Sectors, Infrastructure, Regional Development, Regional policy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Measuring Rural Poverty – It’s Complicated!

Posted on February 7, 2019 by WDC Insights

The CSO released the latest data on Income and Living Conditions last December, see here. The headline figures indicate a rise in incomes – increasing by 4.7% between 2016 and 2017, which in turn was higher than the figures five … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Disparity, Poverty, Regional Development, Regional Statistics, Rural Development | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The National Broadband Plan, Ensuring it is Worth the Wait

Posted on June 27, 2018 by WDC Insights

The procurement process for the National Broadband Plan is well under way and an announcement on the preferred bidder is expected in the Autumn. It is planned that the network rollout will begin very soon after. The National Broadband Plan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Regional Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Broadband benefits – but when?

Posted on June 11, 2018 by WDC Insights

Recent statistics show that Ireland will not meet the EU 2020 targets for the universal availability of fast broadband[1]. Like other EU states, in Ireland there are particular challenges delivering fast broadband to rural areas and this is not helped … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Regional Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Capital Infrastructure priorities – Broadband remains top of the list!

Posted on August 22, 2017 by WDC Insights

Engineers Ireland recently published The State of Ireland 2017, which focuses on the state of Ireland’s infrastructure and the extent to which it is fit for purpose. This is timely as the Government are in the process of considering the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Energy, Infrastructure, Regional Development, Roads, Rural Development, Transport, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What are the Capital Infrastructure Priorities for the Western Region?

Posted on May 5, 2017 by WDC Insights

Last week the WDC made a Submission to the Public Consultation on the Mid-term Review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021. The consultation sought views as to what should be included in the current Plan (€42 billion), over and above what … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Economic Sectors, Economy, Infrastructure, Regional Development, Roads, Rural Development, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Issues for the National Planning Framework – Submission from the WDC

Posted on March 31, 2017 by WDC Insights

The WDC  made its submission on Ireland 2040 – Our Plan: National Planning Framework   yesterday.  The Issues and Choices paper covered a wide range of topics from national planning challenges to sustainability, health, infrastructure and the role of cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Broadband, Creative Industries, Economic Sectors, Economy, Employment, Energy, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Local Government, Population, Regional Development, Regional Statistics, Roads, Rural Development, Transport, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New WDC Publication: WDC Policy Briefing No.7 e-Working in the Western Region: A Review of the Evidence

Posted on March 9, 2017 by WDC Insights

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has published its latest Policy Briefing WDC Policy Briefing No.7 e-Working in the Western Region: A Review of the Evidence, which is now available for download at the following link here. e-Work is a method … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadband, Economy, Employment, Infrastructure, Regional Development, Regional Statistics, Rural Development | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Realising our Rural Potential- Action Plan for Rural Development

Posted on January 24, 2017 by WDC Insights

The Action Plan for Rural Development –Realising our Rural Potential –developed by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA) was launched yesterday (23.01.17) in Ballymahon, Co. Longford as was mentioned in our last post. The Action … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Broadband, Creative Industries, Economic Sectors, Economy, Employment, Energy, Enterprise, Infrastructure, Local Government, Regional Development, Rural Development, Transport | Leave a comment