The Council’s new Digital Strategy was presented to members by John Freeman, Broadband Officer. The document is a digital roadmap for the county for the next four years, setting out strategic goals as to how technology will support and enable the county to grow and develop.

·         The vision of the document was to enhance and further develop the county’s digital innovation hubs, improve citizens’ digital skills as well as supporting and adopting community, economic and cultural digital initiatives and achieving a thriving digital economy will also reduce the costs of public services.

·         The pillars of an effective Digital Strategy include the provision of digital services, digital skills, community and cultural innovation, to include tourism, the digital economy and the provision of employment, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as infrastructural development.

·         In respect of the community objectives of the Digital Strategy the strategy will promote the use of digital technology within the community, reduce social isolation by enabling people to stay connected as well as supporting education and training.To achieve this will result in greater Social Participation, innovation in heritage, tourism and the arts, community supports through LEADER, upskilling of citizens, the creation of ‘smart villages’ as well as the enhancement of Roscommon County Council’s ‘Online Services’.

·         Among the infrastructure objectives of the strategy include greater support for BCP’s, free Wi-Fi in public spaces and the support of rural regeneration, promoting a remote working strategy. Other objectives include the development of community hubs and the application of the strategy in the context of the National Broadband Plan.

·         The  strategy would also promote and encourage the continued development of the digital economy through WDC Connected hubs, regional collaboration, digital innovation centres, online trading and supporting the work of the county’s Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

·         The three key themes outlined in the Digital Strategy will have a range of objectives/actions to be delivered and achieved between now and 2026. Key will be the establishment of an oversight and monitoring committee responsible for continually tracking the progress of the implementation plan and identifying areas of further opportunity.

The Chief Executive said the Council is committed to ensuring everyone has access to high-speed broadband. He noted however that the Council were ‘facilitators’ of broadband roll-out and were dependent on providers of the service. Roscommon County Council is committed to providing its services online, therefore giving access to its customers 24/7.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed the strategy, claiming the document puts Roscommon County Council at the forefront of other counties in providing fast and efficient digital services.

The Members welcomed the Strategy and noted:

·         Welcomed the Wi-Fi for EU’ delivery in Castlerea which he said, has proved very successful. The delivery of services through ‘My Online Services’ is also to be welcomed but said many people didn’t have access to these services. Online services should be available both in local area offices and through the local library network.

·         A challenge of delivering an effective digital strategy was the county’s aging population profile. Such people needed help and training in the delivery of services.

·         The new Digi-Hub in Tulsk was also welcomed where a company had recently relocated.

·         The EM-Call emergency service was also welcomed as a success whereby members of the public are able to access technology on their phone to access their nearest defibrillator.

·          Is there an update on the roll-out of the national broadband plan?

·         Older people are being disadvantaged by the lack of services and should be provided guidance when making online applications. Older exchanges needed to be updated from copper to fibre optic broadband.

·         Public buildings, where available, should be used to offer supports to people unsure or uncertain of using online services. The continued provision of online vouchers through LEO (the Local Enterprise Office) is also a benefit to businesses.

·         The Council’s area offices be used as online hubs. Peple should not be debarred from engaging with the local authority if they are not computer savvy.

·         Welcome the recognition of older people’s needs in respect of any limitations or lack of access they may have to online services.

·         Online services could be rolled out through the An Post network for a nominal fee.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to send a letter to An Post seeking the facilitation of online services in their network of post offices.

Responding to the issues raised, Mr. Freeman said the mission of the National Broadband Plan was that no property would be left behind. The latest figures indicated 19,500 properties in the county are to be covered by the National Broadband Plan. Of those properties, 59% of properties will be connected by the end of this year, which will be ahead of many other counties.

The Council’s library services are well placed to upskill and provide supports for online users and BCP’s (Broadband Connection Points), together with the support of local representatives and the GRETB (Galway Roscommon Education Training Board) could roll-out future training to local communities.