Progress on the development of Local Digital Strategies – Kyne

Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, and Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Mayo South, Seán Kyne, has today (Tuesday) confirmed progress on the development of local digital strategies for each city and county council.

The development of Local Digital Strategies by every city and county council in the country is an action of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Report. Following a competitive tendering process, Indecon International has been selected by the Department of Rural and Community Development to work on the initiative.

The Local Digital Strategies will focus on seven areas including digital skills, digital economy and employment, community and culture, digital services, transitioning to digital, infrastructure and innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Commented Minister Kyne: “As Co-Chair of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, representing the Department of Rural and Community Development, I know the importance of a digital strategy for each local authority so that the benefits of the National Broadband Plan and the improvements in mobile phone and broadband coverage can be harnessed by communities.

“With the tendering process concluded, work will get underway on the development of the strategies including the drafting of guidelines, the design and scheduling of supports and the design of a digital readiness assessment to help councils determine the specific actions they need to take.

“Each city and county council will be able to include their area’s strengths and characteristics that will help ensure that every community will benefit from the opportunities that the fast growing digital economy brings from employment and job creation to the provision and delivery of services to the creative sector, among others.

“With Budget 2018, I have secured over €1 million for the continued employment of broadband officers at every local authority.

“Each broadband officer is a vital point of contact for managing all of the internal and external interactions and communication on mobile phone and broadband coverage and will play an important role in the development of the Local Digital Strategies”, concluded Minister Kyne.