New research carried out by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has found that 7 in 10 rural dwellers in Ireland believe high-speed broadband access could increase opportunities to secure higher-paid work, while over half would consider seeking new employment opportunities as a result of having high-speed broadband.
 
The survey of 298 people in 38 towns spread across Ireland from Donegal to Kerry, showed that 80% believe high-speed broadband will help local people start their own business with over 80% believing the National Broadband Plan will have a positive impact and improve their quality of life. The survey also showed that a large majority (90%) believe there is a rural/urban divide on broadband access. 

This comes after research released yesterday by CIPD Ireland showed 12% of organisations in Ireland expect to offer the option of fully-remote working to their teams in the future, while 67% anticipate that employees will work 2 or 3 days on-site. The research, carried out in conjunction with the Kemmy Business School at UL, found that 46% of organisations are planning to increase hybrid working options, while 26% are planning to increase flexible working options.

Overall, 1.1 million people living and working in almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms, are set to benefit from access to the broadband network being rolled out by NBI under the National Broadband Plan. Speaking this week, CEO of NBI, Peter Hendrick said, "The current level of demand for permanent remote working arrangements is something that wouldn’t have been imaginable in early 2020, and it’s a significant lasting impact of the pandemic. Another impact of the pandemic is that a spotlight has now been shone on the deep digital divide in Ireland, which is being seen by 90% of respondents to our survey." 

He added, The core purpose of the National Broadband Plan is to bridge that rural/urban divide in terms of access to high-speed broadband, which is absolutely essential to facilitating widespread remote working in Ireland. Our ultimate goal is to enable all parts of the country to reap those benefits, which will truly transform how Ireland works, studies and does business."

Source: www.businessworld.ie