SDLP Cusher Councillor Sharon Haughey-Grimley has insisted that the latest investment in Broadband Service must provide for those areas currently without any access to broadband services.
Cllr Haughey-Grimley said, "This is a welcome announcement from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and DARD. £24.5million will go along way in improving and upgrading the broadband network. However, the first thing it must do is to provide access to broadband services in rural hotspots that currently still have no access whatsoever.
"For instance, there are a number of houses in the Clady area that have no broadband which is a serious disadvantage for children with the schoolwork, for farmers, for mothers and those who are rurally isolated as it is.
"It must be a priority for the two departments to ensure that those homes without access are the first targeted with this money to bring the broadband network to all areas of the north.
"I have been long lobbying BT, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill to secure adequate provision for all rural areas across Armagh and I have once again written to all to ensure places like Clady are finally given priority in the roll out of broadband."