THE National Broadband Ireland (NBI) plan has employed over 1000 people since it began 17 months ago.
As the biggest and most significant investment in rural Ireland, the National Broadband Plan is viewed as one of the most ambitious telecoms projects globally and aims to provide high-speed fibre broadband to over 1.1 million people.
NBI is designing, building and operating the new high-speed fibre broadband network for rural Ireland on behalf of the Irish Government.
Employment on the project spans every county in the country.
Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said the project was the largest investment in rural Ireland ever and he felt proud of it as it would be “transformative for Ireland.”
He added: “These 1,000 plus jobs are providing opportunities for people living in every county in the country. We’ve all seen the true value of connectivity over the past year.
“I know National Broadband Ireland has worked hard to implement the Plan as quickly and efficiently as possible, despite the challenges of the pandemic.”
‘A PROJECT OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE’
The State Intervention Area for the National Broadband Plan includes over 544,000 premises and over 1.1 million people and includes any new homes built in the Intervention Area over the next 25 years.
David McCourt, Chairman at NBI said: “Since the contract became effective in January 2020, we have rapidly grown our team at NBI and worked closely with our key sub-contractors who are managing expanding workforces to collaboratively deliver on this landmark project.
“As a project of national importance, operating across every county, it is vitally important that we utilise local talent in every area of our build and we are delighted that despite the challenging environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that we’ve been able to successfully attract and recruit over 1,000 people who each play their vital roles.”
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While employment has been realised in every county, Kildare (69), Donegal (31), Cork (49), Cavan (23), Kerry (69), Limerick (78), Tipperary (35) Kilkenny (22) and Offaly (28) has been particularly high.
Additionally, 55 positions have been filled from the live register.
NBI will be responsible for the management of the new national broadband network for at least the next 25 years.