Inadequate broadband causing problems for many students – Brendan Smith TD

Students facing into exams and on the wrong side of the are experiencing "utter frustration" due to the dreadful level of Broadband, according to a local deputy. 
Deputy Brendan Smith has raised the impact of the "digital divide" with the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh and to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment  Richard Bruton in recent weeks. 
"Poor broadband coverage in so many parts of Cavan/Monaghan is causing serious problems for many students. This causes particular difficulties for students preparing for examinations both at 2nd and 3rd level.
"Each day I receive representations from families where there is utter frustration and concern about the impact poor broadband is having on students’ work.  It is just not acceptable that we have anything but a level playing field in this country in relation to internet connectivity.
"Over recent weeks I tabled Dáil Questions both to the Minister for Education and Skills and to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment requesting that measures be implemented both to assist students who do not have access to up to date technology and also students living in areas with inadequate broadband coverage.
"This digital divide will be most harshly felt by less well off students and those in rural areas.  There is no fairness in this," he said. 
Deputy Smith asked Minister Bruton to outline the measures he will implement to assist Leaving Certificate 2020 students who do not have access to up-to-date technology and/or students living in areas with inadequate Broadband coverage and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister Bruton responded saying that it is a matter for service providers, with whom his officials have been "engaging intensively with". He added: "I recently signed regulations enabling ComReg to release additional rights of use for radio spectrum on a temporary basis. This will provide flexibility for mobile network operators to create additional capacity for mobile phone and broadband services and accommodate the increased demand at this time.
 In addition, I can confirm that all major telecommunication operators have made commitments to measures which will assist people to stay in touch and work from home during Covid-19," he said before explaining the different developments. 
These commitments will be implemented by operators as soon as possible. Each service provider will provide details and implementation updates on their own website. The commitments will remain available to consumers until 30 June 2020 and will be reviewed in advance of that date, if needed.
Deputy Brendan Smith TD asked Minister for Education Joe McHugh if assistance can be provided for Leaving Certificate 2020 students who do not have access to up-to-date technology and/or students living in areas with inadequate Broadband coverage.
Minister McHugh replied: "Officials in my Department have liaised with colleagues in the DCCAE to raise the issue of barriers to connectivity impacting access to remote learning. Minister Bruton has announced a package of additional supports from the telecoms companies including that access to healthcare and educational resource websites identified by the Government will be zero-rated for all customers where technically feasible.
"The Department is supporting a pilot initiative, under which Cisco and IBM are providing support directly to schools to operate the WebEx platform. This facilitates schools, with no alternative capability, with a collaborative platform to enable them engage with their students and staff.
"My Department is also engaging with IBEC on the potential for companies to donate devices and other supports to be targeted at disadvantage students who otherwise would not have a device. "