Local Minister for Communications Denis Naughten has recent confirmed that he has been working closely with telecommunications company enet to ensure its investment of over €5m in broadband infrastructure to supply high-speed connectivity benefits rural Ireland and today Ballinalsoe is set to significantly benefit. Naughten can confirm that Ballinalsoe and nine other towns will be connected as part of the next phase of enet’s fibre direct initiative which will bring high speed fibre speeds to doors and premises.

Minister Naughten recently held a meeting with enet Chairperson David C. McCourt in Leinster House and impressed on him the vital importance of expanding the enet network speedily and fairly across Ireland. Ballinalsoe as well as Donegal Town, Buncrana, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Cootehill, Castleblayney and Manorhamilton are all set to benefit.

Minister Denis Naughten said: ‘Enet has been able to make this investment on foot of a recent agreement I made with them enabling fibre to the door of businesses and premises. Fibre is the highest quality broadband speed available anywhere in the world.  In terms of scale of quality it means people could play 200 netflix high definition programmes at the one time from the one connection without any drop off in the quality of that connection.  Fibre to doors  which will place Ballinalsoe firmly on the map in terms of potential job creation. I want to commend Ballinasloe Area Community Development limited who were instrumental in securing this investment for the town of Ballinalsoe. It builds on the investment last year of Surmodics with the creation of 100 high value R&D jobs to the town which is the equivalent of 1000 jobs going to Galway city.  Today’s announcement means Ballinasloe, with fibre to the door, is now on a strong footing to maximise its potential for future job creation.’