Press release
Government approves ambitious Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The government has approved the first Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland, delivery of which has been led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Ireland is committed to a fast-paced digital transformation. The availability of high-speed, reliable, digital connectivity will support the delivery of Ireland’s economic and social ambitions, and will position Ireland at the forefront of European and global digital developments.
The Digital Connectivity Strategy sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
All sectors will be armed with the connectivity needed to fully exploit digital opportunities, leading to more balanced regional development, while supporting the green transition. The strategy facilitates greater access to regional talent and skills, and supports the implementation of government priorities such as 'Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025', 'Making Remote Work: National Remote Work Strategy', and Project Ireland 2040.
Digital connectivity is also a pre-requisite for the delivery of social dividends, ensuring that disadvantaged groups are not left behind and can fully embrace digital opportunities.
The strategy will be achieved through:
*commercial investment in Gigabit services
Commenting on the consultation, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, said:
"Today’s strategy sets out our path to reliable high-speed internet access all over Ireland by 2028. We are making a massive investment of State and private money in technology and infrastructure so we can all work, study and access entertainment and information wherever we live. This will ensure Ireland’s future as a great place to live and to do business."
A public consultation on the draft Digital Connectivity Strategy took place between February and October 2022. All submissions were fully considered by the department and several suggestions were included in the final strategy.
The Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland can be accessed on the department's website.
ENDS
The Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland directly supports the digital infrastructure dimension described in the recently-launched 'Harnessing Digital – Digital Ireland Framework'. The government this week published a progress report on the strategy, which is available on the Government of Ireland website.
This framework outlines Ireland’s ambition to be a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments. It sets out a pathway to drive and enable the digital transition across the economy and our society. It aims to maximise the well-being of our citizens, the efficiency of public services, as well as the productivity, competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of our economy. Further details can be found on the Government of Ireland website.
Europe’s Digital Decade: digital targets for 2030 is the EU’s vision for digital transformation by 2030. The EU Commission proposes a Digital Compass for the EU's Digital Decade that evolves around four cardinal points. The first two are focused on digital infrastructures, and education and skills. The other two are focused on the digital transformation of business and public services. The Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland addresses the digital infrastructure pillar of the EU’s Digital Decade.