AQW 54294/11-16 Written question to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether priority will be given to applications to the broadband voucher scheme from rural businesses who did not receive a voucher in 2015, due to a lack of funding.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 15 February 2016
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 15 February 2016
- Answer due by
- 1 March 2016
- Answered
- 25 February 201610 days after tabling
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The funding of £0.5m I announced on 12th February 2016 will only be used to facilitate the rural businesses that had previously applied to the Broadband Voucher Scheme, but missed out due to lack of funding to receive their vouchers. This equates to some 170 rural business applicants unable to benefit from a voucher for up to £3,000 towards the cost of installation of a broadband service. The scheme will not actually re-open for applications.
While responsibility for broadband provision falls under the remit of DETI, I’ve been delighted to be able to assist so many rural businesses by committing this £0.5m to the broadband voucher scheme.
I’ve also been pleased to support domestic provision of broadband through the previous and new Rural Development Programme.