Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe made no mention of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) in his budget speech. Budget papers show a limited allocation supporting both the NBP and the "promotion of digital adoption among small businesses and citizens".

  • Amount: €87m.
  • Industry sources commonly estimate the cost of the NBP to be in the region of €1bn, indicating that no significant roll-out can begin within next year's budget.
  • The Department of Communications must agree a contract with the last remaining consortium in the tender to roll out the NBP before construction can begin.

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    Budget 2019: everything farmers need to know